What is Retropharyngeal Abscess? Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA), a medical condition most commonly seen in young children and infants alike, is an abscess located in the tissues at the back portion of the person’s throat, which is anatomical speaking, behind the posterior part of the pharyngeal wall. The retropharyngeal abscess is a life-threatening condition that needs to be taken seriously. According to statistics, the disease predominantly affects young children who have a weak immune system. Anatomically speaking, experts believed that RPA originates from an infected lymph node which progresses through cellulitis and eventually abscess formation. The retropharyngeal space is the area [...]

Inflammation of the glans penis and the foreskin is something males dread happening. But if it does, the condition is called balanoposthitis, This condition can be chronic and can have poor response to topical antifungals, antibiotics and steroids. But there is new hope for men suffering this condition as new treatment called “YAG laser” may just have the potential to eradicate this condition. YAG Laser for Balanoposthitis A recent study was done with 20 males with balanoposthitis. The patients ranged in age between 34- 84 years old and all of them had topical treatments (antibiotics and antifungals, steroids, etc) for [...]

Berkeley, California – Scientists believe they have found a new weapon inside the human cornea, to fight super bugs that cause flesh eating infections and other lethal conditions. A person’s eye might just save a life of another or maybe his or her own life due to a specialized protein believed to carry natural antimicrobial properties. The Rise of the Super bugs “Super bugs” is a term we now use to describe a microorganism or bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics or other types of “anti” medications. The threat of super bugs has now become a concern as cases of [...]

Spigelian hernias are rare and intriguing defects occurring at the spigelian fascia, an area between the rectus abdominis muscle in the middle and the semilunar line on the side. This type of hernia is usually repaired using laparoscopy and mesh prosthesis, however, recent studies reveal that spigelian hernia can be repaired using the same procedure but without use of a mesh prosthesis. Mesh Prosthesis vs. No Mesh Prosthesis The use of mesh prosthesis is a well-known and well-established treatment for correcting hernias. Mesh prosthesis is a woven material (usually made up of biological material such as polyester fibers, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene [...]

Harlequin ichthyosis is rare but fatal skin disorder that affects 1 in every 300,000 infants. It is a disease characterized by thickening of the skin’s keratin layer, massive red diamond shaped patches in the skin, contraction of the ears, eyes, appendages and penis and a fixed “O” shaped mouth. The severe skin condition restricts the child’s movement and the fixed “O” shaped mouth leaves the infant unable to suck or feed. The condition is fatal and without intensive care, infants suffering the condition may only survive a few days after being born. The combination of the disease’s fatality and its rare nature [...]

Broken ankles and other fractures that don’t heal correctly after conventional treatment, may now be fixed with a new treatment called, “bone stimulators”.  The new treatment offers a non-invasive way to heal broken ankles and other fractures despite standard treatments. Indications for Bone Stimulation Bone stimulation is usually suggested for patients suffering from non-union fractures. Non-union fractures are fractures that fail to heal or join up even after treatment.  The failure to heal can lead to chronic pain and permanent disability. Fractures heal through the help of casts and splints. These devices immobilize the fractured part to facilitate natural healing. [...]

Males suffering from penile fractures may find faster relief with the aid of a chemical compound called “methylene blue”. Studies have found out that the use of methylene blue during surgery of a penile fracture leads to a faster and more straightforward repair. The use of the chemical compound also led to fewer complications post surgery. A Gist on Penile Fractures Penile fractures happen when there is blunt trauma to the penis while it is erect. The trauma causes tears in the different parts of the penis including the tunica albuginea (penile covering) and the corpus cavernosum (penile body). The [...]

Pain that emanates from the left lower part of the abdomen may indicate a spectrum of conditions. Careful assessment on the characteristics of the pain and other associated symptoms are important in trying to determine the root cause of the condition. Pain in Lower Left Abdomen is a general symptom which may indicate both acute and serious diseases, understanding what these conditions are and the presenting symptoms associated with it may help rule out if the pain in the left lower abdomen is caused by something serious or something that is manageable. Causes of Left Lower Quadrant Pain There are several [...]

If your child or anyone in your family coughs up green mucus or phlegm, you might consider having them checked for bacterial infections. Green phlegm usually indicates a respiratory infection that is bacterial in nature. What Causes Coughing Up Green Mucus? The primary cause for the green color of phlegm is infection. Infection can be further divided into 2 parts: viral and bacterial. Either infection can cause a person to cough up green mucus. Viral infections Viral infections are some of the most common causes of green phlegm or mucus. Viral infections often happen along with sinus headache or sinus [...]

What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain? Sacroiliac joint pain is basically the unpleasant sensation felt on the lower back reaching up to buttocks and thighs. This is also termed as sacroiliac joint dysfunction. SI joint pain does not happen in an abrupt manner, it takes years to develop. Throughout the years the muscles lose their balance; this is referred as postural imbalance. Picture 1- Sacroiliac Joint Pain Location Sacroiliac Joint Sacroiliac joint is the intersection made by the iliac bones with the sacrum; SI joints are connected by strong intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments. The sacrum supports the spine which is also supported [...]