What is pyonephrosis?

Pyonephrosis is a condition where pus collects in the kidney as result of an infection with a urinary tract obstruction. A kidney infection, known as pyelonephritis, is mainly bacterial in origin. If the pus cannot drain out of the kidney due to some obstruction in the ureter usually, it accumulated within the collecting system of the kidney and can lead to the formation of an abscess. Pyoneophrosis is a very serious condition because the pus is under pressure and can therefore lead to a rapid spread of the infection possibly leading to sepsis. This is life-threatening. Pyonephrosis is a very rare condition, both in children and adults. Although it is difficult to estimate how common the condition may be, patients with blockages of the urinary tract are at a greater risk and in particular patients with a compromised immune system.

continue reading Pyonephrosis (Pus Collection in the Kidney)

What is Prinzmetal’s angina?

Prinzmetal’s angina is cardiac pain caused by an inadequate blood supply (ischemia) as a result spasm of the coronary artery. It is just one type of angina pectoris – heart pain caused by the inadequate flow of blood to the heart muscle. The coronary arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and a constant supply is necessary on an ongoing basis to the heart wall that is always contracting and relaxing. When the muscles in the arterial walls go into spasm (vasospasm), the artery lumen is narrowed and less blood flows through it. The condition was named after Dr. Myron Prinzmetal and is also known as variant angina or angina inversa.

How common is Prinzmetal’s angina?

Angina pectoris affects almost 10 million Americans and there is about half a million new cases reported annually. It is the most significant cardiac symptoms indicating a potentially fatal coronary event. The most common type is typical angina which is narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the build up fatty plaques in the arterial walls (atherosclerosis). Prinzmetal’s angina is very uncommon comparatively, account for only 2 out every 100 cases of angina pectoris.

continue reading Prinzmetal’s Angina (Coronary Artery Spasm)

What is pseudogout?

Pseudogout is a joint condition where calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals are deposited in and around the joints. It is known as pseudogout because it is similar to the more common crystal-induced arthritis known as gout, where urate crystals accumulate in the joints. Comparatively, pseudogout is not as common as gout. Unlike with gout, almost any joint can be affected in pseudogout it is the joint of the big toe that is most commonly afflicted. The condition that leads to pseudogout is known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD).

How common is pseudogout?

Overal calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease is fairly common among seniors. It is more likely to arise in the 50s onwards and it is estimated that half of seniors aged 85 years have the disease. However, most patients are asymptomatic so pseudogout is not a common presentation. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD) is often detected with radiographic investigations or may remain undetected.

continue reading Pseudogout and Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease

What is parathyroid cancer?

Parathyroid cancer (carcinoma) is a malignant tumor of the parathyroid gland. It is a rare type of cancer that originates from the uncontrolled growth of the cells of the parathyroid gland. Since the cancer starts in the parathyroid cells itself, it is also known as a primary cancer. If cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and spreads to the parathyroid gland, then it is known as a secondary cancer or metastatic cancer. Parathyroid carcinoma is one of the rare cancers. It affects about 1 in 7.5million people and affects both males and females equally. Most cases of parathyroid cancer are seen in people over the age of 30 years.

continue reading Parathyroid Cancer (Carcinoma of the Parathyroid Gland)

What is hyperphosphatemia?

Hyperphosphatemia is the term for elevated phosphates in the blood. Phosphates are the naturally occurring form of phosphorus and is necessary for many processes in the body. Most of the phosphates within the body are found in the bones and the concentration in the bloodstream is carefully regulated. Excess may be excreted through the kidneys. Hyperphosphatemia arises when excess phosphates are absorbed from the gut, reduced excretion of phosphates and higher than normal production of phosphates.

continue reading Hyperphosphatemia (High Blood Phosphates)