BOOKS FOR DOCTORS
BOOKS FOR DOCTORS
Signinterp
Signinterp is a guide to virtually every clinical sign that can be detected by physically examining a patient.
It lists every possible disease, syndrome or condition that may cause the sign, as well as explaining how the examination is performed and the physiology behind the results.
The data it contains is available to be used in print or electronically.
Its circulation currently exceeds 75,000 copies.
SIGNINTERP
Clinical Signs and their Interpretation
SIGN: Objective evidence of disease or deformity
Butterworths Medical Dictionary
FORMAT
Sign (Alternate Name) [Abbreviation]
Exp: An explanation of the sign, with its methodology described in sufficient detail to enable
the practitioner to perform the test.
Int: The interpretation of the sign.
(+) The diseases, syndromes etc. that should be considered if the test is positive
(++) The interpretation of an exaggerated or grossly positive test
(–) Ditto for a negative test result
(AB) Ditto for an abnormal test result
Phys: The pathophysiology of the sign to enable its significance to be better understood
See also Other Signs of Significance
SAMPLE ENTRIES:-
Hypertension
Exp: Blood pressure above 145 mmHg systolic and/or 85 mmHg diastolic. Significant variations for age, sex and circumstances
Int: (+) Anxiety, exertion, essential hypertension, renal artery stenosis, acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidneys, nephrotic syn., other renal diseases, phaeochromocytoma, aortic coarctation, pre-eclampsia of pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, raised intracranial pressure (tumour or trauma), overdistended neurogenic bladder, polyarteritis nodosa, SLE, scleroderma, Conn syn., malignant hypertension, Cushing syn., porphyria, ovarian tumours, lead poisoning, diabetes mellitus, pseudohermaphroditism, adrenogenital syn., Liddle syn., Irukandji syn., Riley-Day syn., alcoholism, drug and food interactions (eg. MAOIs and cheese), drugs (eg. analgesics, anorectics, antidepressants, cyclosporin, carbenoxolone, liquorice, MAOIs,NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, steroids)
Phys: 85% essential form. Generally due to increased peripheral resistance, abnormalities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increased levels of adrenaline or noradrenaline, or increased cardiac output (eg. thyrotoxicosis)
Hypertonicity
Exp: Involuntary resistance is encountered when limb is passively moved. Muscles are firm to touch
Int: (+) Upper motor neurone lesions, extrapyramidal system lesions, CVA, parkinsonism, cord transection, postasphyxia, kernicterus, premature infant, encephalitis, cerebral oedema, trauma, meningitis, hydrocephalus, cerebral space occupying lesion, cerebral palsy
Phys: Disinhibition of the stretch reflex
See also Myotonia
Hyperventilation
Exp: Rapid respiratory rate (generally above 35 breaths per minute in adult)
Int: (+) Anxiety, pain, fever, hysteria, pulmonary embolism, metabolic acidosis (diabetic ketoacidosis, renal disease), most infections, cerebral haemorrhage, pneumothorax, anoxia, congenital heart lesions, drugs (eg. adrenaline), Rett syn.
Phys: Due to low pO2, high pCO2, or direct cerebral action
See also Kussmaul's Breathing or Sign
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