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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Lupus is a disease in which your immune system attacks the tissues in your own body. Your immune system is made up of white blood cells that defend your body against foreign invaders. Normally when foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria get into your body, some of your white blood cells identify them as foreign because they contain substances called antigens. This recognition causes some of your white blood cells to make chemical markers called antibodies. These antibodies attach to the antigens, marking the foreign invaders as targets for your immune system to destroy them. In an autoimmune disease such as lupus, your white blood cells mistakenly make antibodies to mark some of your own body cells and circulating chemicals for destruction. When the antibodies attach to your normal cells, your white blood cells begin to attack them as if they were foreign antigens. Over time, this autoimmune response causes inflammation in the parts of your body wherever this attack is happening. Inflammation makes the blood vessels in the affected area expand and leak fluid, causing redness and swelling. The symptoms of lupus happen as your immune system begins to attack different areas of your body. You may develop a butterfly shaped skin rash on your cheeks and nose. Small sores or ulcers may form inside your nose or mouth. You may develop arthritis, in which your joints become inflamed and swollen. When your fingers are cold, they may turn a blue or white color. This is called Raynaud's phenomenon. You may have pain during deep breathing caused by pleurisy, a condition in which the outer lining of your lungs is inflamed. Your white blood cells may create antibodies that attach to bits of your DNA from worn out cells. The attached pair, called an immune complex, can lodge in your kidneys and cause inflammation. This disorder is called lupus nephritis. Flare ups of any of your symptoms, even those not related to your skin, may be caused by an unusual reaction to sunlight called photo sensitivity. Other common symptoms of lupus include extreme fatigue, headaches, fever, a reduced number of red blood cells in your blood called anemia, swelling of your legs, feet, hands, or skin around your eyes, muscle pain and weakness, and hair loss. Lupus is sometimes called the great imitator because its many symptoms are found in other health problems. There is no cure for lupus, however you may prevent or reduce flare ups by avoiding direct sunlight and wearing sunscreen outside. The sunscreen should have a sun protection factor of 55 or greater, and block both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation. To treat your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a combination of drugs to reduce inflammation, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, and anti-malarial drugs. Your doctor may also recommend drugs that suppress or prevent your immune system from attacking the tissues in your body, such as corticosteroids.
"I would like to thank all of you at Medical Legal Art for all the
assistance you provided. It was a result of the excellent, timely work
that we were able to conclude the case successfully.
I feel very confident that our paths will cross again."
Fritz G. Faerber
Faerber & Anderson, P.C.
St. Louis, MO
"I just wanted to let you know that after several days on trial, I settled
[my client's] construction accident case for $4.5 million. Immediately after
the jury was discharged, I spoke with several jurors who told me that they
really appreciated the medical illustrations for their clarity in dealing
with [my client's] devastating injuries. They also expressed their gratitude
in being able to read from a distance all of the notations without
difficulty. Obviously, the boards were visually persuasive. I am certain
that this contributed to our successful result."
Michael Gunzburg, Esq.
Attorney at Law.
New York, NY
"Whether it's demonstrating a rotator cuff tear, neck movement a few
milliseconds after rear impact, or a proposed lumbar fusion, the Doe Report
represents an instant on-line database of medical illustration for
health-care and legal professionals.
Illustrations can be purchased 'as is' or modified within hours and sent
either electronically or mounted on posterboard. An illustration is worth a
thousand words, as juries perk up and look intently to capture concepts
that are otherwise too abstract. Start with good illustrations, a clear and
direct voice, a view of the jury as 12 medical students on day one of
training, and your expert testimony becomes a pleasure, even on cross
examination. An experienced trial lawyer should also emphasize these
illustrations at the end of trial, as a means of visually reinforcing key
concepts covered.
As a treating physician, I also use these accurate illustrations to educate
my own patients about their medical conditions. The Doe Report is an
invaluable resource, and its authors at MLA have always been a pleasure to
work with."
Richard E. Seroussi M.D., M.Sc.
Diplomate, American Boards of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and PM&R
Seattle Spine & Rehabilitation Medicine
www.seattlespine.info
"Medical illustrations are essential during trial for any medical malpractice case. The people at MLA have the uncanny ability of creating medical illustrations that simplify the most complex of medical concepts and human anatomy to a lay audience. The exhibits of MLA allow experts to easily describe complex concepts and human anatomy in a manner that could
not be done otherwise.
In addition, their custom illustrations show in great detail the extent of
injuries suffered and the devastating effects they have had on the client's
anatomy. These custom illustration can show, side by side, the body before
and after a catastrophic injury. The effect of this juxtaposition is
unmatched by any testimony that can be adduced at the time of trial.
Even jurors after trial have commented on the ease with which they grasp
medical concepts and anatomy once the MLA exhibits were introduced and
used by my experts. Even judges who have "seen it all" are thoroughly
impressed by the detail and sophistication of the illustrations.
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.