Medical dictionary

An abdominal MRI is a type of scan which uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the soft tissues in your abdomen. An MRI is carried out by a radiologist, and is a safe and pain-free procedure.   Why do I need an abdominal MRI? An abdominal MRI is used to investigate: any issues with the lymph nodes the flow of blood in your body the cause of

What is abdominal pain, and what are the different types?Abdominal pain can be a symptom of many conditions. It is the name given to pain that radiates between the chest and the groin. There are three different types of abdominal pain, which are categorised as follows: burning pain: this type of abdominal pain could be caused by gastritis, an ulcer, or acid refluxcolic pain: could be due

What is an abdominal ultrasound? An abdominal ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to examine the internal organs of the abdomen, such as: the kidneys;  liver;  spleen;  gallbladder, or; pancreas. The blood vessels that reach some organs, such as the aorta or vena cava, can also be visualised using an abdominal ultrasound. W

What is abdominal wall reconstruction surgery? The abdominal wall is the three layers of muscle that protect and hold the inner organs. Sometimes, the strength and thickness of these muscles can become weak and unstable, due to a number of reasons, including: Recurring hernias Open, non-healing wounds The aim of abdominal wall reconstruction surgery is to redistribute more evenly,

What is an abnormal chest x-ray? A chest X-ray is an imaging test that utilises low doses of radiation in short blasts to create images of the inside of a patient’s chest. In this way, doctors can examine the heart, lungs, bones, and blood vessels.   If the X-ray images show abnormalities, this means that there is something unusual on the image of the ch

What are gait abnormalities?   Gait abnormalities are alterations in the way of walking, usually due to injuries or pathologies of the spinal cord, brain, legs or feet. They can affect the speed at which you walk, and lead to problems with consistency and symmetry, or movements that are not synchronised. A gait takes place following a repetitive cycle in which different str

What does it mean if your smear test results are abnormal?   If you have an abnormal smear test result, this does not mean you have cancer. Instead, you have some changes in the cells of your cervix. Depending on how abnormal these changes are, there is a potential for these cells to develop into cancer in the future.   Some types of abnormal result will not need treatment, w

What are work accidents?   The definition of a work accident can differ between countries, governing bodies and industries, but generally, a work accident can be defined as any bodily injuries caused as a result of the work they perform. Hence, for an accident to be considered a ‘work accident’, the following should apply: The worker suffers an injury (wound, blow or i

What is acellular dermal matrix?Acellular dermal matrix is a biotechnological engineered mesh (graft) that acts as soft tissue support in a myriad of surgical purposes, but mainly, immediate implant-based breast reconstruction. Its purpose is to provide a scaffold upon which the patient’s tissue cells can grow and sufficient vascularised tissue can support the new breast implant.The use of the mes