Calcium Antagonist - Mnemonic

Costochondral Calcification Seen On Chest X-Ray

A 64 years old male came to radiology department for X-ray chest with history of cough and cold.

The X- Ray is shown below:

1. Describe the radiological signs in the above given X ray?

Answer: X-ray chest shows normal lung fields with normal cardiac configuration. Calcification of upper and lower margins of costal cartilages is seen.

2. Comment and Explain the calcification of the costal cartilages?

Congestive Heart Failure - Signs And Symptoms (Mnemonic)

A 16-year-old girl who just returned from a camping trip reports an intensely pruritic vesicular rash.

A 16-year-old girl who just returned from a camping trip reports an intensely pruritic vesicular rash. The most likely diagnosis is
A) Rhus dermatitis
B) Lyme disease
C) Chigger bite
D) Brown recluse spider bite
E) Black widow spider bite

The answer is A. (Rhus dermatitis)

Discussion:

Simplified Approach To Reading Chest X- Rays.

A good understanding of normal anatomy and variations is essential for the interpretation of chest
radiographs.Here is given a simplified approach to reading chest x -rays.
Most commonly the chest x rays are in a PA (posterio anterior) view in which the X-ray beam first
enters the patient from the back and then passes through the patient to the film that is placed anterior to the patient‘s chest. It uses 80–120 kV and focus film distance of 6 feet.

                                                 A Normal Chest X-Ray (PA view)

                                     A Chest X-Ray (PA view) showing Mediastinal Borders


On a PA film, lung is divided radiologically into three zones:

Bullous Pemphigoid - A Blistering Skin Disease

Introduction: Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune condition causing sub epidermal blistering of the skin. If untreated, it can persist for months or years, with periods of spontaneous remissions and exacerbation. The disease can be fatal, particularly in patients who are debilitated.
Bullous pemphigoid is most common in people older than age 60.

Pathophysiology: The bullae are formed by an immune reaction, initiated by the formation of IgG autoantibodies targeting Dystonin, also called Bullous Pemphigoid Antigen. It can also occur secondary to the development of antibodies against hemidesmosomal proteins BP180 and BP230.

Clinical features: The primary feature of bullous pemphigoid is the appearance of large blisters that don't easily rupture when touched. The fluid inside the blisters is usually clear but may contain some blood. The skin around the blisters may appear normal, reddish or darker than usual. Some people with bullous pemphigoid develop an eczema or hive-like rash rather than blisters.

In most cases, the blisters appear on the lower abdomen, groin, upper thighs and arms. Blisters are often located along creases or folds in the skin, such as the skin on the inner side of a joint.

The affected areas of skin can be very itchy.