SLE Mnemonic

@MD SOPHARINA

Malar Rash
Discoid Rash
Serositis (Pleuritis and Pericarditis seen as rub and effusion)
Oral Ulcer
Photosentitivity
Hematological (Hemolytic anemia, Leukopenia <4000/uL, Lymphopenia <1000/uL, Thrombocytopenia <100000/uL)
ANA
Renal (Proteinuria >0.5g/day or 3+ in dipstick)
Immunological (Anti ds DNA, Anti Sm Antibodies)
Neurological (Seizures, Psychosis without any other cause)
Arthritis (2 or more peripheral joints)

Additional features:
Raynaud's phenomenon
Jaccoud arthropathy
Livedo reticularis

Peripheral signs in Aortic Regurgitation

Start the 17 signs from the hands, go up to the forehead and come down the trunk.

Cranial Nerve Nuclei Mnemonic

CeMi Pons Medu
2   2   4       4

Cerebellum   Cranial nerves 1, 2 lie in the cerebellum
Midbrain       CN 3, 4
Pons              CN 5, 6, 7, 8
Medulla        CN 9, 10, 11, 12

I know this wasn't exactly a mnemonic. In case this didn't help you, here's a bonus link: Brainstem Rules of 4 (for the gunners)

Upper Motor Neuron Lesion Mnemonic

In UMN lesion, there is hypertonia. The tone is increased in the extensors of lower limbs and flexors of upper limbs.

LEG: Legs Extensors Greater tone

Uremia Symptoms Mnemonic

NAWAB PEG
Nausea/ Vomiting
Anorexia
Weakness/ Fatigue
Acidosis
Bleeding

Pruritus
Encephalopathy
Gastritis

Lessons learnt in med school

After all these long years in med school, there are many things I don't know and am yet to learn. But the glass is half full. I have learnt a few things/lessons and will share a few with you dear reader. 

1. Turn off your smartphone and any other source of internet that you have nearby while studying. Started doing this a week back, and it's the best thing I've done to increase my concentration. If you don't understand something, jot it down and look through the internet during your break. But, don't be tempted to switch on your phone. 

2. As House said, 'Everybody lies'. Yes. Even your best friends. If someone is bragging about not studying at all and being worried about failing the test and yet sharing stories about how they were praised by the professors, be sure they are lying. Don't listen to them. These sorta people just pull you down.

3. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop comparing their progress with yours. Comparison with other people dampens our self worth and strips your confidence. Rather compare yourself to your old self. If you go to bed feeling a sense of accomplishment, then you did good. If you could have been more productive, carry on the following day. You are better than what you were last night. 

4. Most of your peers will be intelligent. Don't be demoralized. Be positive. How think of it is, I am sure I am smarter than someone/ many people too. There must be some people for whom, I am the smart one.

5. Have friends who are smarter than you are. Don't be around them all the time only to get depressed/ demoralised. But staying around them will make you work harder. And remember, everybody lies (read point 2 again).

No matter who tries to teach you lessons about life or anything for that matter, you won't understand it until you go through it on your own.

P.S.                                            YOU IS KIND.

YOU IS SMART.

YOU IS IMPORTANT.

Radiology

Resumed studying after a 2 week hiatus, due to earthquake, with radiology. I read somewhere, there are two types of clinicians- radiologists and those who wish they were radiologists. Isn't it right? Who wouldn't want to sit in those comfy chairs and not listen to patient's stories, both at the same time. Seems like a vacation to me.

Found two very useful sites which may help you for Radiology in your final year.
1. Radiology Masterclass - The tutorials and galleries will give a good foundation knowledge in the art of radiological interpretation.

2. Radiopaedia - A large collection of radiology cases and topics in encyclopedia.

Post-op Complications of Cataract Surgery- Mnemonics

Early Post-operative Complications- FETISH

F- Flat Anterior Chamber

E- Bacterial Endophthalmitis

T- Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome

I-   Iris prolapse

S-  Striate keratopathy

H- Hyphaema

Late Post-operative Complications- ABCDEFG

A- After cataract

B- Pseudophakic Bullous keratopathy

C- Cystoid Macular Edema

D- Retinal Detachment

E- Epithelial ingrowth/ Endophthalmitis

F- Fibrous downgrowth

G- Glaucoma-in-aphakia and pseudophakia

Supracondylar humerus fracture X-Ray

A 9 year old girl brought to the emergency with a history of fall from a height of 1 meter, followed by pain,swelling, deformity and inability to move the left elbow.
X- Ray of left elbow- Supracondylar fracture of the humerus- extension type.

Politeness is Poison!

Last week, during the bedside teaching one of my classmate, T, wasn't able to see what the professor was inspecting on the patient. There was a significant finding and the professor was going on and on about it. I know how it feels when everyone is craning their necks to see what they can see but you can't see even the patient's clothes or feet or even the bed in which the patient is lying. When you can hear clearly, but what you hear makes no sense to you. That particular day, from the place where I was, I could clearly see the patient's significant finding. Having been in T's shoes, I knew how it felt. So I thought of giving him some space so that he too could take a look. But, my my! Bhalai ka to koi zamana hi nae raha (You should not speak of kindness) !! He stood in my spot there for the entire class. It was like Sheldon got his spot back by depriving other Sheldon of the same spot!

May be, I should learn something from the crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some are bright, some have weird names. But, we have to learn to live in the same box!