There is growing consensus in the pediatric community that this disorder should be renamed "medical abuse" to highlight the harm caused by the deception and to make it less likely that the sufferer can use a psychiatric defense when harm is done. Diagnosis
Due to the behaviors involved, diagnosing factitious disorder is very difficult. If the healthcare provider finds no physical reason for the symptoms, they may refer the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist (mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses). Psychiatrists and psychologists use thorough history, physical examinations, laboratory tests, imagery, and psychological testing to evaluate a person for physical and mental conditions. Once the persons history has been thoroughly evaluated, diagnosing factitious disorder imposed on self requires a clinical assessment. Clinicians should be aware that those presenting with symptoms (or persons reporting for that person) may exaggerate, and caution should be taken to ensure there is evidence for a diagnosis. Lab tests may be required, including complete blood count (CBC), urine toxicology, drug levels from blood, cultures, coagulation tests, assays for thyroid function, or DNA typing. In some cases CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, psychological testing, electroencephalography, or electrocardiography may also be employed.
Band keratopathy is a corneal disease derived from the appearance of calcium on the central cornea. This is an example of metastatic calcification, which by definition, occurs in the presence of hypercalcemia. Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of band keratopathy include eye pain and decreased visual acuity. Causes
Band keratopathy has several causes. These causes include uveitis, interstitial keratitis, superficial keratitis, phthisis, sarcoidosis, trauma, intraocular silicone oil, systemic diseases (high levels of calcium in the blood, vitamin D intoxication, Fanconis Syndrome, low levels of phosphorus in the blood, gout, milk-alkali syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, and chronic mercury exposure). Pathology
Band keratopathy is seen when there is calcification of the epithelial basement membrane, Bowmans membrane, and the anterior stroma with destruction of Bowmans membrane. The calcium salts are intracellular when the process is due to alteration of systemic calcium metabolism, whereas they are extracellular when due to local disease. Diagnosis
Band keratopathy is diagnosed by slit lamp examination of the eye. Treatment
Treatment is indicated if vision is threatened or if the eye is uncomfortable. It is important to recognize and treat any underlying condition. Improvement of vision may be obtained by scraping off the opacity. Topical disodium EDTA can be used as a chelating agent. It can also be removed with the excimer laser (phototherapeutic keratectomy). Other modalities include diamond burr and lamellar keratoplasty. References


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