| chronic kidney failure | Chronic renal failure represents a slow decline in kidney function over time. Chronic renal failure may be caused by a number of disorders which include long-standing hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, lupus or sickle cell anaemia. If renal function declines to a low enough level (end-stage renal disease) kidney dialysis may be necessary. A sudden decline in renal function may be triggered by a number of acute disease processes. Examples include sepsis (infection), shock, trauma, kidney stones, kidney infection, drug toxicity (aspirin or lithium), poisons or toxins (drug abuse) or after injection with an iodinated contrast dye (adverse effect). Both forms of renal failure result in a life-threatening metabolic derangement. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| chronic leukaemia | A persistent cancer of the blood, usually of gradual onset and generally of slow progression. May be diagnosed by chance following a routine blood test and prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (13 Nov 1997) |
| chronic lymphadenoid thyroiditis | <endocrinology> Inflammation of the thyroid gland without the formation of pus. Noninfectious nonbacterial thyroid inflammation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| chronic lymphocytic leukaemia | <haematology> A slowly progressing form of leukaemia, characterised by an increased number of the type of white blood cell known as lymphocytes. With about 3, 500 new cases occurring each year in the UK, it is the most common form of leukaemia and occurs predominantly in late middle age onwards. It has variable symptoms and course, but may be diagnosed by chance before the patient develops any clinical symptoms of disease. Acronym: CLL Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (12 Jan 1998) |
| chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis | <endocrinology> Inflammation of the thyroid gland without the formation of pus. Noninfectious nonbacterial thyroid inflammation. (27 Sep 1997) |
| chronic malaria | Malaria that develops after frequently repeated attacks of one of the acute forms, usually falciparum malaria; it is characterised by profound anaemia, enlargement of the spleen, emaciation, mental depression, sallow complexion, oedema of ankles, feeble digestion, and muscular weakness. Synonym: limnaemia, malarial cachexia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic mountain sickness | Loss of high altitude tolerance after prolonged exposure (e.g., by residence), characterised by extreme polycythemia, exaggerated hypoxaemia, and reduced mental and physical capacity; relieved by descent. Synonym: altitude erythraemia, chronic soroche, Monge's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic myeloid leukaemia | <haematology> A leukaemia which is initially slowly-progressing. There are approximately 650 new cases each year in the UK. It is characterised by the presence of large numbers of abnormal mature granulocytes, circulating in the blood. Synonym: chronic granulocytic leukaemia. Acronym: CML Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (12 Jan 1998) |
| chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia | <haematology> A form of myelodysplasia characterised by an increase in the number of circulating white blood cells of the monocyte type. Acronym: CMML Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (12 Jan 1998) |
| chronic nephritis | Glomerulonephritis that presents with persisting proteinuria, chronic renal failure, and hypertension, of insidious onset or as a late sequel of acute glomerulonephritis; the kidneys are symmetrically contracted and granular, with scarring and loss of glomeruli and the presence of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Synonym: chronic nephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic nonleukaemic myelosis | A condition in which there is abnormal proliferation of leukopoietic tissue that results in immature white blood cells in the circulating blood, but the total count is within the normal range. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | <disease> A progressive disease process that most commonly results from smoking. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterised by difficulty breathing, wheezing and a chronic cough. Treatment includes absolute avoidance from smoking, bronchodilators and oxygen for those with advanced disease. Complications include bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer. See: emphysema. (27 Sep 1997) |
| chronic pancreatitis | Inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterised by fibrosis and irreversible loss of exocrine function. Chronic fibrosing pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas consisting of fibrosis, acinar atrophy, and calcification. Clinically, it follows a protracted course with relapses and remissions, and is usually due to alcohol abuse or malnutrition. Chronic relapsing pancreatitis, repeated exacerbations of pancreatitis in patient with chronic inflammation of that organ. Relapses are usually due to persistence of aetiologic factor or repeated exposure to it, such as occurs with partial ductal obstruction or chronic alcoholism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic pancreatitis: surgical treatment | <radiology> ERCP findings Surgical procedure, dilated proximal duct sphincterotomy, dilated distal duct distal pancreatectomy, with or without retrograde jejunal drainage, diffuse ductal dilatation Peustow procedure, (chain-of-lakes), sclerosed duct Child procedure (subtotal panc-x) (12 Dec 1998) |
| chronic persistent hepatitis | <pathology> A form of hepatitis usually caused by hepatitis C or B, that consists of mild persistent liver inflammation. Often a mild elevation of the liver enzymes will be seen on liver profile or SMAC 25 assay. Liver biopsy indicates persistent hepatitis. Incidence: 1 in 1,000. (02 Jan 1998) |