| diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis | This represents a group of pulmonary disorders (lower respiratory tract) that leads to a functional loss in the alveolar air sacs and a compromise in the diffusion of oxygen from air to blood. There is widespread inflammation and scar tissue (fibrosis) formation within the lung. The causes are varied and include: inorganic and organic dusts, gases, fumes, vapors, infections, radiation, medications, coal dust, silicosis and byssinosis. When the cause is not identifiable it is referred to as idiopathic diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (27 Sep 1997) |
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| diffuse leishmaniasis | Leishmaniasis caused by several New and Old World species and strains of Leishmania (L. Mexicana amazonensis, L. M. Pifanoi, possibly L. M. Garnhami and L. M. Venezuelensis; in Ethiopia, L. Aethiopica, and unidentified leishmanial agents in Namibia and Tanzania). The condition is associated with a suppressed cell-mediated immune response, so that the non-ulcerating, non-necrotizing cutaneous lesions can spread widely over the body; great numbers of parasite-filled macrophages are found in the dermal lesions. Healing does not appear to occur unless an acquired cellular hypersensitivity can develop. Synonym: anergic leishmaniasis, diffuse leishmaniasis, disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis, leishmaniasis tegumentaria diffusa, pseudolepromatous leishmaniasis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse mastocytosis | Infiltration of many organ systems by mast cells with varied clinical manifestations that can include fever, weight loss, flushing, bronchospasm, rhinorrhoea, palpitations, dyspnea, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hypotension. Synonym: systemic mastocytosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse mesangial proliferation | <nephrology, pathology> Inflammation of the kidney glomerulus (blood filtering portion of the kidney) due to the abnormal deposition of IgM antibody in the mesangium layer of the glomerular capillary. A form of glomerulonephritis that appears to be caused by an abnormal immune response. This disorder generally manifests as nephrotic syndrome. Symptoms include swelling, dark urine, weight gain, hypertension, anorexia and bloody urine. Acronym: MPGN (05 Jan 1998) |
| diffuse nontoxic goitre | A common cause of hyperthyroidism thought to be caused by an underlying autoimmune mechanism. (27 Sep 1997) |
| diffuse obstructive emphysema | The major component of chronic obstructive lung disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse oesophageal spasm | A disorder characterised by episodic contractions of the oesophagus. The oesophageal spasms fail to effectively propel food to the stomach. Symptoms may be confused with angina. Common symptoms include chest pains, epigastric pain, heartburn, pain on swallowing and difficulty swallowing. Treatment includes the use of sublingual nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers. (27 Sep 1997) |
| diffuse osteosclerosis | <radiology> Mnemonic: 3M PROFS, renal osteodystrophy, metastasis, mastocytosis, myelofibrosis, sickle cell disease, osteopetrosis (Albers-Schoenberg disease), pyknodysostosis, fluorosis (12 Dec 1998) |
| diffuse panbronchiolitis | Idiopathic inflammation and obstruction of bronchioles, eventually accompanied by bronchiectasis; cases reported almost entirely from Japan. Synonym: diffuse panbronchiolitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse peritonitis | Peritonitis throughout the peritoneal cavity. Synonym: diffuse peritonitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse phlegmon | A diffuse inflammation of the subcutaneous tissues accompanied by constitutional symptoms of sepsis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage | <radiology> Thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis, Goodpasture syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegeners granulomatosis, polyarteritis nodosa, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, Behcet disease, D-penicillamine, lymphangiography (12 Dec 1998) |
| diffuse waxy spleen | A condition of amyloid degeneration of the spleen, affecting chiefly the extrasinusoidal tissue spaces of the pulp. Synonym: lardaceous spleen (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal spasm, diffuse | A motor disorder of the oesophagus characterised by chest pain and dysphagia. Pathogenesis is unclear. Strong, nonpropulsive contractions of the oesophagus evoked by deglutition occur, especially in the elderly. (12 Dec 1998) |
| keratoderma, palmoplantar, diffuse | An autosomal dominant disorder characterised by a widely distributed, well-demarcated hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. There is more than one genotypically distinct form, each of which is clinically similar but histologically distinguishable. Diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma is distinct from palmoplantar keratoderma (keratoderma, palmoplantar), as the former exhibits autosomal dominant inheritance and hyperhidrosis is frequently present. (12 Dec 1998) |