| LACN | local area communications network |
|---|---|
| LAN | local area network; long-acting neuroleptic [agent] |
| LAS | laboratory automation system; lateral amyotrophic sclerosis; laxative abuse syndrome; left anterior-... |
| LCBF | local cerebral blood flow |
| LCGU | local cerebral glucose utilization |
| diagnosis, physical | A diagnosis which is made by means of the physical examination of the patient. (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| diagnosis-related group | A classification of patients by diagnosis or surgical procedure (sometimes including age) into major diagnostic categories (each containing specific diseases, disorders, or procedures) for the purpose of determining payment of hospitalization charges, based on the premise that treatment of similar medical diagnoses generate similar costs. A scheme for billing for medical and especially hospital services by combining diseases into groups according to the resources needed for care, arranged by diagnostic category. A dollar value is assigned to each group as the basis of payment for all cases in that group, without regard to the actual cost of care or duration of hospitalization of any individual case, as a mechanism to motivate health-care providers to economise. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diagnosis-related groups | A system for classifying patient care by relating common characteristics such as diagnosis, treatment, and age to an expected consumption of hospital resources and length of stay. Its purpose is to provide a framework for specifying case mix and to reduce hospital costs and reimbursements and it forms the cornerstone of the prospective payment system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| differential diagnosis | The determination of which two or more diseases with similar symptoms is the one from which a patient is suffering from based on an analysis of the clinical data. (27 Sep 1997) |
| DNA diagnosis | <molecular biology> The use of DNA polymorphisms to detect the presence of a disease gene. (09 Oct 1997) |
| laboratory diagnosis | A diagnosis made by a chemical, microscopic, microbiologic, immunologic, or pathologic study of secretions, discharges, blood, or tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaesthesia, local | Anaesthesia confined to one part of the body. Infiltration anaesthesia produces local anaesthesia by deposition of a local anaesthesia solution in the area of small, terminal nerve endings. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaesthetics, local | Drugs that block nerve conduction when applied locally to nerve tissue in appropriate concentrations. They act on any part of the nervous system and on every type of nerve fibre. In contact with a nerve trunk, these anaesthetics can cause both sensory and motor paralysis in the innervated area. Their action is completely reversible. Nearly all local anaesthetics act by reducing the tendency of voltage-dependent sodium channels to activate. They are commonly used not only in the peripheral nervous system, but also for spinal anaesthesia. The many drugs that have local anaesthetic actions as a side effect but are not used for their local anaesthetic action are not included here. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anti-infective agents, local | Substances used on humans and other animals that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. They are distinguished from disinfectants, which are used on inanimate objects. (12 Dec 1998) |
| neoplasm recurrence, local | The local recurrence of a neoplasm following treatment. It arises from microscopic cells of the original neoplasm that have escaped therapeutic intervention and later become clinically visible at the original site. (12 Dec 1998) |
| local | Restricted to or pertaining to one spot or part, not general. Origin: L. Localis (18 Nov 1997) |
| local anaemia | Anaemia resulting from a decreased supply of blood to a part, as in the occlusion of a vessel. (05 Mar 2000) |
| local anaesthesia | The use of a local anaesthetic (usually injected into the tissue) results in a small region of anaesthesia (numbness). Lidocaine (Xylocaine) or (Marcaine) are commonly used. Origin: Gr. Aisthesis = sensation (27 Sep 1997) |
| local anaesthetic | The use of a local anaesthetic (usually injected into the tissue) results in a small region of anaesthesia (numbness). Lidocaine (Xylocaine) or (Marcaine) are commonly used. (27 Sep 1997) |
| local anaesthetic reaction | A toxic reaction due to absorption of local anaesthetic drug during regional anaesthesia, ranging from drowsiness to convulsions and cardiovascular collapse. (05 Mar 2000) |