RENAL CYSTS
60 RENAL CYSTS General Discussion Renal masses can be categorized into cysts, tumors, and inflammatory lesions. Autopsy results have shown that about 50% of persons older than 50 years have…
PEDIATRICS
HEMATURIA (microscopic)
31 HEMATURIA (microscopic) General Discussion Definitions of microscopic hematuria vary from one to more than 10 red cells per high-power field. The American Urological Association has issued guidelines for the…
SYNOVIAL FLUID ANALYSIS
65 SYNOVIAL FLUID ANALYSIS General Discussion Analysis of synovial fluid plays a major role in the diagnosis of joint disease. Several classification schemes have been used to help classify joint…
PROTEINURIA
57 PROTEINURIA General Discussion Proteinuria is a frequent finding on dipstick testing of urine specimens, yet fewer than 2% of these represent serious and treatable urinary tract disorders. Proteinuria is…
HYPERCALCEMIA
34 HYPERCALCEMIA General Discussion The three pathophysiological mechanisms for hypercalcemia are increased bone resorption, increased gastrointestinal absorption of calcium, and decreased renal excretion of calcium. Increased bone resorption accounts for…
FIBROMYALGIA
24 FIBROMYALGIA General Discussion The 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for fibromyalgia has two components: (1) the presence of widespread pain for more than 3 months and (2)…
HYPONATREMIA
42 HYPONATREMIA General Discussion Hyponatremia generally is defined as a plasma sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L. Hyponatremia may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Most patients with hyponatremia…
WEIGHT LOSS
73 WEIGHT LOSS General Discussion Clinically significant weight loss can be defined as the loss of 10 pounds or more than 5% of the usual body weight over 6 to…
TRANSAMINASE ELEVATION
70 TRANSAMINASE ELEVATION General Discussion The following discussion applies to mild elevations of liver transaminase levels (up to five times normal) in asymptomatic patients. The first step in the evaluation…
