| bowel perforation | Complete penetration of the intestinal wall resulting in the potential for bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| Boyd communicating perforation veins | A vein connecting the superficial and deep venous system in the anteromedial calf. (05 Mar 2000) |
| retinal perforation | <ophthalmology> Perforations through the whole thickness of the retina including the macula as the result of inflammation, trauma, degeneration, etc. The concept includes retinal breaks, tears, dialyses, and holes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| peptic ulcer perforation | Penetration of a peptic ulcer through the stomach wall. May be free, i.e., at a point where the stomach wall faces a real or potential space,, or confined, i.e., at a point where the stomach wall is defended by contiguous or adjacent structures, such as the pancreas. (12 Dec 1998) |
| perforation | 1. The act of boring or piercing through a part. 2. A hole made through a part or substance. Origin: L. Perforare = to pierce through (18 Nov 1997) |
| intestinal perforation | <surgery> This surgical emergency involves rupture of the wall of the intestine. Intestinal perforation results in severe abdominal pain intensified by movement. Later symptoms include fever and chills. Underlying causes include appendicitis, gastrointestinal cancer and diverticulitis. (10 Jan 1998) |
| oesophageal perforation | <radiology> Usually in neonates, upper oesophagus frequently affected, then NG tube dissects posteriorly, relatively benign in neonates CXR findings: pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, abnormal distance between NG tube and trachea on lateral view, NG tube does not terminate in stomach, thin irregular tract (with contrast) vs. Large regular tract (tracheo-oesophageal fistula), pleural effusion, patchy infiltrates see: oesophageal trauma (12 Dec 1998) |
| tympanic membrane perforation | An opening in the tympanic membrane usually caused by trauma. There are four general categories: compression injuries (the most common and usually the result of a blow to the ear); instrumentation injuries (the second most common, usually inadvertent, caused often by cotton swabs or bobby-pins); burn-slag injuries (frequently seen in industry, from hot metal from machines or welding); and blast injuries (usually seen during war or as a result of terrorist bombing). In the absence of infection, most traumatic tympanic membrane perforations heal spontaneously. Persistent perforation is usually a manifestation of tubotympanitis, an inflammation of the eustachian tube and tympanic cavity (middle ear). (12 Dec 1998) |
| uterine perforation | Penetration through the uterine wall. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, malignant melanoma | A skin cancer that begins in cells called melanocytes that can grow together to form benign (not cancerous) moles. A change in size, shape, or colour of a mole can be a sign of melanoma. Melanoma can be cured if detected early, before spread (metastasis) to other areas of the body. Diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy of the abnormal skin. Sun exposure can cause skin damage that can lead to melanoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| canine malignant lymphoma | <tumour> A progressive fatal disease of dogs characterised by neoplastic transformation and proliferation of lymphoid cells, usually originating in solid lymphoid organs (lymphosarcoma) or bone marrow (lymphocytic leukaemia). (05 Mar 2000) |
| malignant | <oncology> Tending to become progressively worse and to result in death. Having the properties of anaplasia, invasion and metastasis, said of tumours. Origin: L. Malignans = acting maliciously (18 Nov 1997) |
| malignant anaemia | <haematology> A form of anaemia (low red blood cell counts) that results when the bone marrow fails to produce adequate numbers of red blood cells due to a deficiency in vitamin B12. Intrinsic factor, necessary for normal B12 absorption, may be the underlying cause for B12 deficiency if is not produced in the gastric glands (in the stomach). Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (27 Sep 1997) |
| malignant carcinoid syndrome | <syndrome> A symptom complex associated with carcinoid tumour and characterised by attacks of severe flushing of the skin, diarrhoeal watery stools, bronchoconstriction, sudden drops in blood pressure, oedema, and ascites. The carcinoid tumours are usually located in the gastrointestinal tract and metastasize to the liver. Symptoms are caused by tumour secretion of serotonin, prostaglandins, and other biologically active substances. Cardiac manifestations constitute carcinoid heart disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| malignant catarrh | A herpes virus infection of cattle characterised by catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory and alimentary epithelia, keratoconjunctivitis, encephalitis and lymph node enlargement. Syn: bovine epitheliosis, snotsiekte. (12 Dec 1998) |