1. Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents the most prevalent entrapment neuropathy encountered in clinical practice, characterized by compression of the median nerve as it traverses the carpal tunnel at the wrist. This condition manifests through a constellation of sensory and motor symptoms, including pain, paresthesia, numbness, and weakness in the median nerve distribution of … Read more
1. Introduction A fracture represents a structural discontinuity in bone, constituting a significant clinical event that initiates a complex, multi-stage biological repair process. The study of fractures and their subsequent healing integrates principles from anatomy, biomechanics, cellular biology, and pharmacology. For medical and pharmacy students, a thorough understanding of this process is fundamental, as it … Read more
1. Introduction The management of sports injuries and orthopedic conditions represents a critical intersection of musculoskeletal medicine, biomechanics, and pharmacology. These conditions encompass a broad spectrum of pathologies resulting from acute trauma, repetitive overuse, and degenerative processes affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and associated structures. The field has evolved significantly from rudimentary fracture care … Read more
1. Introduction Thermal injury represents a complex and potentially devastating form of trauma with significant systemic implications. The management of burns and the subsequent need for surgical reconstruction through skin grafting constitute a critical domain within surgery, critical care, and clinical pharmacology. This chapter provides a comprehensive examination of the pathophysiology of burn injuries, the … Read more
1. Introduction The management of wounds and the prevention and treatment of associated infections represent a cornerstone of clinical practice across multiple medical and surgical disciplines. This domain integrates principles from physiology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, and material science to optimize patient outcomes. Effective management is predicated on a thorough understanding of the normal healing cascade, … Read more
1. Introduction The therapeutic use of blood and its components represents a cornerstone of modern medical practice, bridging the disciplines of hematology, immunology, surgery, and critical care. Concurrently, disorders of plasma constituents—particularly proteins involved in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and immune defense—constitute a significant category of disease with profound implications for patient management. The integration of transfusion … Read more
1. Introduction Organ transplantation represents a definitive therapeutic intervention for end-stage organ failure, constituting a cornerstone of modern medical therapeutics. The procedure involves the surgical transfer of a viable organ from a donor to a recipient, with the primary objective of restoring lost physiological function. This field integrates principles from surgery, immunology, pharmacology, and critical … Read more
1. Introduction The domains of palliative care and end-of-life care represent fundamental components of comprehensive medical practice, dedicated to optimizing quality of life and mitigating suffering for individuals facing serious, life-limiting illness. While often conflated, these concepts possess distinct yet overlapping scopes. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary medical specialty focused on the prevention and relief … Read more
1. Introduction Schizophrenia represents a severe, chronic, and often debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by profound disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Psychosis, a core feature of schizophrenia, describes a mental state involving a loss of contact with reality, manifesting as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. While schizophrenia is the prototypical psychotic … Read more
1. Introduction Borderline personality disorder (BPD) represents a complex and severe mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affect, coupled with marked impulsivity. The disorder is classified within the cluster B personality disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). … Read more