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I think acronyms are far superior to individual's names when it comes to medical conditions. WE all know what CHF, AODM, PUD, OA, and things like that are. But how many of us know what Millard-Gubler syndrome, or Schamberg's disease are? In fact, I have started an organization devoted to further the cause of acronyms in medicine. I call it "Doctors Instituting Praise-Worthy Acronym Deployment Services." Too bad that¹s such a mouthful. I wonder what we could call ourselves for short?
(Contributed by Jonathan Hall, MD, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc)

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Normally I like the color maroon. But not when I'm on call.
(Contributed by Jonathan Hall, MD, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc)

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When you think about all of the medical interventions available to different parts of the body, why is it that the prostate gland gets so much attention? Just look at the ways medicine can treat the prostate:
1. Brachytherapy (implant radioactive rice-sized seeds)
2. Cryoprostatectomy (freeze it)
3. Lasers (used in various procedures, including the vaportrode and charmingly named TULIP)
4. TUNA (transurethral needle ablation)
5. Microwave
6. Photon beam therapy
7. Proton beam therapy
8. Conformal 3-D radiation therapy
9. Mix external radiation and seeds
10. Of course, you can always use a knife, too.
(Contributed by Nancy Collins, RN, Medical Technology Coordinator, The Permanente Medical Group)

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By Stephen Bachhuber, MD, an Anesthesiologist for Northwest Permanente, PC.

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By Joe Oleniacz, MD, a Pediatrician for The Carolina Permanente Medical Group, PA

 

 

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