Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Foreign body aspiration - Flexible or rigid bronchoscopy?

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) - Which bronchoscopy should you do? Flexible or rigid?

#TLDR:
Life threatening - Rigid bronchoscopy
Diagnosis not clear - Flexible bronchoscopy

Children - Rigid bronchoscopy
Adults - Flexible bronchoscopy

Mnemonic: childRen thReatening - Rigid bronchoscopy

So first ask - is this a life threatening FBA? Yes - Rigid bronchoscopy (after airway stabilization of course)

Then ask - Is the diagnosis clear? No - Flexible bronchoscopy

If the diagnosis is clear and the FBA is not life threatening - See the age.

If it is a child - Rigid bronchoscopy
If it is an adult - Flexible bronchoscopy

Here's a looooong copy paste explanation from UpToDate:

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Varenicline mnemonic

Hello!

A short post on Varenicline :)

Mirtazapine mnemonic

Hello!

Here's a short post on the atypical antidepressant, Mirtazapine! It's an alpha 2 antagonist that increases release of NE (norepinephrine) and 5-HT (serotonin)

Mirtazapine causes sedation (desirable in depressed patients with insomnia)

Mnemonic: MirtaZZZZapine
Zzz for 😴 sleep

Mirtazapine increases appetite, causes weight gain (desirable in elderly or anorexic patients)

Mnemonic:
M - Mirtazapine makes you motu
(Motu in Hindi / Urdu is fat)

-IkaN

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Tuberculosis: Eponymous pathologies picmonic


Hey guys!!

So TB, huh? As if the complicated diagnostic and treatment modalities aren't enough, we also have to remember some characteristic pathological entities, especially the eponymous ones like Ghon, Rancke, Assmann, Rich, Simond, Simon, Weigert, Puhl, Rasmussen and I am sure there are more. Lucky for us, we have a pimonic for this.



Thank you Subasini for this wonderful illustration! Inspired! :*

Pulmonary Embolism Picmonic


Hey guys!!

Pulmonary embolism is a diagnosis of exclusion. I am sure this illustration will help you to make a diagnosis of PE after you have ruled out the other differentials.



Thank you Subasini for this wonderful illustration! Inspired! :*

Algrove Syndrome Picmonic


Hey guys!

This picture will help you get a visual recollection of Algrove syndrome.



Thank you Subasini for this wonderful illustration! Inspired! :*


Bacterial Protein Synthesis Inhibitors


Hey guys

Here are two pics to help you all to better understand the mechanism of action of bacterial protein sysnthesis inhibitors: antibacterials.



Thank you Jailene for contributing to the blog! :)



Thursday, December 7, 2017

USMLE Step 3 CCS: Rape

Hello!

These are my CCS steps for a case of rape. Lemme know if I missed out on anything!

Consent
Rape evidence kit

Complete physical examination

CBC
BMP
Vaginal fluid analysis
Vaginal, cervical, rectal cultures
BHCG
UA
Urine culture
HIV test, P24 antigen
VDRL
HbSAg
Gonococcal tests
Chlamydial tests

Emergency contraception (ulipristal / levonogestrol)
Ceftriaxone
Azithromycin
Metronidazole
Tenofovoir + emtricitabine + raltegravir
HBIG (if unvaccinated)

Psych consult
Drug screen
Colposcopy (for injuries)

That's all!
-IkaN

USMLE Step 3 CCS: Kawasaki disease

Hello, these are my hypothetical orders for KD.
Let me know if I missed something out!

Physical examination (PE)

CBC
BMP
ESR
CRP
Blood culture (to rule out infection)
Urinanlysis (to rule out infection)
Urine culture (to rule out infection)
CXR (to rule out infection)

LFT
ASO
Strep pharyngitis culture
EKG
Echocardiogram

IVIG
Aspirin

That's all!
-IkaN

Save, near miss and preventable adverse effect mnemonic

Hey!

These are for USMLE ethics.