Category: P

The sensation of pain along certain nerve pathways following a herpesvirus infection. Neuralgia following an attack of herpes zoster (shingles). It is caused by irritation of the nerve roots of the spinal cord. Treatments include gabapentin. A sensation of burning pain caused by nerve irritation, typically manifesting at the location where a prior episode of…

An X-ray study performed at the patient’s bedside with portable X-ray equipment.  

A glandular disturbance in some young women. Symptoms involve enlargement of the ovaries with multiple cysts, diminished menstrual flow or absence of periods, excessive hair (hirsutism), and inability to become pregnant.  

A test done on blood to determine the platelets’ length of survival. Low survival rates may indicate certain blood disorders or certain blood- or lymph-borne cancers.  

Measurement of total volume of plasma; elevated in liver and spleen disease and vitamin C deficiency, decreased in dehydration, shock, and Addison’s disease. The total quantity of plasma in the body. It decreases with dehydration and increases with greater salt and water intake and during early pregnancy. Plasma volume can be measured with injected fluorescent-labeled…

The action of renin, an enzyme secreted by the kidney that influences the body’s salt and water balance; measured to detect adrenal disease associated with high blood pressure, and to evaluate various predictive factors concerning treatment.  

A skin test to detect the presence of, or exposure to, tuberculosis. A test for tuberculosis by means of a skin reaction, used especially in children.  

A test done to detect genetic carriers of cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that affects the sweat glands and lungs.  

A map of the distribution of a radiopharmaceutical in the body. A representation of the concentration of a radioisotope outlining an organ in the body. The map is printed on photographic paper.