A Strange Rash After Swimming the English Channel

A Strange Rash After Swimming the English Channel

Jul 1, 2016 | 0 comments

A 58-year-old woman presents to a walk-in clinic with a severe rash on her arms, legs and torso. The previous day she had swum the English Channel in 12 hours. When you examine her, you can see well-demarcated welts all over the affected areas with surrounding...
Understanding the Oxygen Dissociation Curve

Understanding the Oxygen Dissociation Curve

Jun 7, 2016 | 40 comments

What is the oxygen dissociation curve?  The oxygen dissociation curve is a graph that plots the proportion of haemoglobin in its oxygen-laden saturated form on the vertical axis against the partial pressure of oxygen on the horizontal axis. The curve is a valuable aid...
Spontaneous Ankle Pain After a Course of Antibiotics

Spontaneous Ankle Pain After a Course of Antibiotics

Jun 1, 2016 | 0 comments

A 62-year-old man presents with pain in the back of his right ankle. He was walking to the shops when he suddenly heard a loud ‘snap’. He states it felt like he had been ‘kicked in the back of the ankle’. On examination there is swelling, tenderness and bruising...
The Man Who Forgot Who He Was

The Man Who Forgot Who He Was

May 1, 2016 | 1 comment

A 24-year-old man is brought into an A&E department by the Police. He has been found wandering the streets locally. He is unable to remember anything from his past and is unsure where he is. He is also unable to answer questions about his own personal identity....
‘Ripping’ Chest Pain in a 38-Year-Old Man

‘Ripping’ Chest Pain in a 38-Year-Old Man

Apr 1, 2016 | 2 comments

A 38-year-old man with Marfan syndrome presents with sudden severe chest pain that radiates through to his back. He describes the pain as being sharp and ‘ripping’ in nature. He smokes 25 cigarettes per day. He is sweaty, nauseated and appears pallid. On examination...