| acute tuberculosis | A rapidly fatal disease due to the general dissemination of tubercle bacilli in the blood, resulting in the formation of miliary tubercles in various organs and tissues, and producing symptoms of profound toxaemia. Synonym: acute miliary tuberculosis, disseminated tuberculosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| acute tubular necrosis | <nephrology> A kidney disorder that results in damage to the renal tubule cells leading to acute renal failure. Acute tubular necrosis can result from any condition which deprives the kidney of oxygen (ischaemia). Acute tubular necrosis may occur as a complication of shock, trauma or sepsis. Conditions such as diabetes or liver disease can predispose people to the development of acute tubular necrosis. Certain medications (for example aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cyclosporine) are known to cause acute tubular necrosis as a toxic side effect. Radiopaque contrast dyes, used in some radiologic procedures, may also result in acute tubular necrosis as a rare complication from contrast dye use. Acronym: ATN (13 Nov 1997) |
| acute urethral syndrome | <syndrome> This describes a clinical syndrome of dysuria (pain on urination) with sterile or low bacterial colony count culture results. Many of these patients have early or low-grade E. Coli, Staphylococcal saprophyticus or Chlamydia trachomatis infections. All are treated with antibiotics. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute urticaria | Urticaria accompanied by slight constitutional symptoms. Synonym: acute urticaria, urticaria acuta, urticaria febrilis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute vascular occlusion | <cardiology, surgery> A serious condition that results from the sudden blockage of an artery, usually with a blood clot. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute vascular purpura | <dermatology> This relatively rare disorder is characterised by skin purpura, joint pains, abdominal pain and renal disease (glomerulonephritis). Although Henoch-Schonlein purpura or anaphylactoid purpura, is thought to be a immune complex mediated disease, its exact cause is unknown. Its typical benign coarse can, however, include renal failure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute yellow atrophy of the liver | A lesion in which there is extensive and rapid death of parenchymal cells of the liver, sometimes with fatty degeneration of the size of the organ; the necrosis may result from fulminant viral infection or chemical poisoning; associated with jaundice. Synonym: acute parenchymatous hepatitis, Rokitansky's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bisectrix, acute | <microscopy> In biaxial crystals, that principal axis of the ellipsoid of indexes which bisects the smaller angle between the optic axes. (05 Aug 1998) |
| pancreatitis, acute necrotizing | Acute inflammation of the pancreas with areas of devitalised pancreatic and/or peripancreatic tissue. These necrotic areas may involve large areas of the pancreas or may be small. When a ct scan is performed with contrast media using a bolus technique, necrotic areas do not perfuse with media and are not enhanced. The lack of enhancement distinguishes necrotic tissue from the adjacent well-perfused viable pancreatic parenchyma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| retinal necrosis syndrome, acute | <ophthalmology> Mild to fulminant necrotizing vaso-occlusive retinitis associated with a high incidence of retinal detachment and poor vision outcome. (12 Dec 1998) |
| common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia | <haematology, oncology> A sub-type of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia affecting cells early in the B lymphocyte lineage which accounts for about 80% of all acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (13 Nov 1997) |
| porphyria, acute intermittent | A form of hepatic porphyria (porphyria, hepatic) characterised by periodic attacks of gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal colic, paralyses, and psychiatric disorders. The onset of this condition is usually in the third or fourth decade of life. (12 Dec 1998) |
| stricture, oesophagus, acute | A narrowing or closure of the normal opening of the swallowing tube leading to the stomach, usually caused by scarring from acid irritation. Acute, complete obstruction of the oesophagus occurs when food (usually meat) is lodged in the oesophageal stricture. Patients experience chest pain, and are unable to swallow saliva. Attempts to relieve the obstruction by inducing vomiting at home are usually unsuccessful. Patients with complete oesophageal obstruction can breathe, and are not at any risk of suffocation. Endoscopy is usually employed to retrieve the meat and relieve the obstruction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diverticulitis, treatment of acute | Antibiotics are usually needed. Oral antibiotics are sufficient when symptoms are mild. Liquid or low fibre foods are advised during acute diverticulitis attacks. In severe diverticulitis with high fever and pain, patients are hospitalised and given intravenous antibiotics. Surgery is needed for persistent bowel obstruction or abscesses not responding to antibiotics. (12 Dec 1998) |
| illness, acute | An illness with an abrupt onset and usually a short course. (12 Dec 1998) |