What is a pleurectomy? A pleurectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to remove part of the pleura. Pleurectomy is indicated for an individual who has recurrent lung diseases or infections. Lungs are surrounded by a thin lining called pleural membrane (pleura). Pleura help lungs move with ease during respiration. A pleurectomy is a …
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What is piriformis syndrome? Sometimes the piriformis muscle can become irritated, swollen, and tight due to injury and twitching. It can then press upon the nearby sciatic nerve. The pyriformis syndrome is a painful neuromuscular condition that develops due to abnormal tightening of the pyriformis muscle situated near the hip joint. The tight muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve …
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What is a pacemaker? The most common use of pacemakers is the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). A pacemaker is a tiny device (not more than the size of a small matchbox), placed in the chest or abdomen, that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscles for maintaining a suitable heart rate. It may also be used to …
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What is the femur bone? The femur or thigh bone is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It usually takes a lot of force to break the femur. A femoral osteotomy corrects deformities of the femur (thigh bone). Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of femur fractures. The femur is the only bone in the thigh …
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What is a trigger finger? A trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) is a painful condition in which one of the fingers gets stuck in one position and then snaps straight. The affected finger may bend or straighten with a snap like a trigger being pulled and released. A digital flexor injection treats a trigger finger with a corticosteroid to prevent pain …
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What is a biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy? A sphincterotomy is a complex procedure that involves the use of an endoscope (a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light and camera at one end) and imaging techniques to manipulate the sphincter of Oddi. A biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy removes gallstones and bile duct blockages. A biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy is a procedure …
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What is pulse oximetry? Dr. Richard Levitan, MD, says that the use of home finger pulse oximeters by patients with COVID-19 could preempt the precipitous oxygen desaturation that leads to a crisis that needs intensive care. Pulse oximetry is a quick, noninvasive test that measures the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) in the blood. It is an easy, painless method to measure …
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What is pneumonectomy? A pneumonectomy is a type of surgery to remove one of the lungs. Lungs are a part of the respiratory system that removes oxygen from the air and pass it into your blood. Every individual has two lungs; these lungs connect to mouth through a series of tubular structures. A pneumonectomy is a type of surgery to …
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What is a pulmonary function test? Four common types of lung tests are spirometry, lung volume test, gas diffusion test, and exercise stress test. Pulmonary function test or lung function test is a group of tests that check the workings of the lungs. They are noninvasive test which can determine the functional status of the lung cells and how well …
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What is antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection? Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a complete treatment regimen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, with a combination of three or more classes of drugs. Each drug class targets the virus at a different stage in its replication cycle, which improves the chances of controlling the infection. HIV infection has …
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