BOOKS FOR DOCTORS

Syndromecum

    Syndromes seem to be multiplying exponentially in modern medicine. Some are just a passing fad, or have only local significance; others, though, become diagnostic classics, and are handed down with the combination of the original describers’ surnames (the etymology of which can be quite fascinating at times), or Latin / Greek hybrids that are designed to paralyse even the most articulate tongue.

    Unfortunately, remembering the details about this multitude of syndromes is fast becoming an impossible task for the busy clinician.

    This book overcomes that problem by directing the doctor’s thoughts towards an appropriate, although sometimes unusual, diagnosis. Bizarre collections of presenting symptoms may suddenly resolve themselves into one of the less common, but previously recognised syndromes.

    Not every known syndrome can possibly be described  in any tome shorter than a thousand pages, but this book should cover the majority of those encountered by most physicians.

    Over 65,000 copies of Syndromecum have been printed in four editions.

    The data it contains is available to be used in print or electronically.

SYNDROMECUM

A Vademecum of Syndromes

The Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

of Medical Syndromes

SYNDROME: A concurrence of several symptoms in a disease.

Oxford English Dictionary

FORMAT

Syndrome name  [Abbreviation]

(Alternate Name)

Des:    Description. Characteristic symptoms and signs of the syndrome. (Symptoms and signs that are not always present are shown in brackets)

Test:    Pathological, radiological, electrophysiological and other appropriate tests used in the diagnosis, with the expected result of the test in a patient with the syndrome shown in (brackets). See also Section Three Investigations and Section Four Pathology Tests.

Trt:    Treatment. The available treatments for the syndrome, if any

Comm:    Comment. Further discussion on the epidemiology and complications of the syndrome

See also Other  Relevant Syndromes

SAMPLE ENTRIES:-

Machado-Joseph Syndrome

(Azorean Disease)

Des:    Spasticity, rigidity, ataxia, dysarthria, limb weakness, fixed facies, (tremor, ophthalmoplegia, uncontrolled eye movement)

Trt:    Levodopa  and baclofen for rigidity and spasticity

Comm:    Progressive degeneration of the spinocerebellum. Autosomal dominant. First discovered in the Azores Is.

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

Des:    Forceful vomiting, haematemesis

Test:    Endoscopy (cardio-oesophageal tear)

Trt:    Conservative unless prolonged, then balloon pressure to bleeding point, or surgery

Comm:    Tear in cardio-oesophageal mucosa caused by severe vomiting

Marcus Gunn Syndrome

(Jaw Winking Syndrome)

Des:    Unilateral ptosis from birth, abnormal eyelid movement coordinated with jaw movement, no drop in eyelid with downward gaze.

Trt:    Microsurgery.

Comm:    Congenital abnormality of levator palpabrae muscle and its innervation.

Marfan Syndrome

Des:    Arachnodactyly, anomalous skeletal proportions, extra long tubular bones, kyphoscoliosis, joint hyperextensibility, genu recurvatum, high arched foot, lens dislocation, aortic regurgitation and dilatation, mitral valve prolapse, (endocarditis, myopia, detached retina)

Test:    Specific chromosomal analysis (AB), skeletal X-ray (AB), echocardiography (AB)

Trt:    Surgical correction of heart defects, propranolol, reserpine, physiotherapy

Comm:    Generalised inherited disorder of connective tissue. Mean survival 32 years. Cardiac complications often severe

Marinesco-Sjögren Syndrome

Des:    Onset in childhood with progressive cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, cataracts, multiple skeletal abnormalities, mental retardation, hypogonadism

Trt:    None available

Comm:    Unknown enzymatic defect. Rare