Makindo Medical Notes Comprehensive Medical Encyclopedia | Education for Healthcare Professionals

Triad Name	Components	Condition / Context	Teaching & Pathophysiology Pearl
Charcot’s Triad	RUQ pain Fever Jaundice	Ascending cholangitis	Reflects biliary obstruction + infection → add hypotension & confusion = Reynolds’ pentad (sepsis).
Virchow’s Triad	Stasis Endothelial injury Hypercoagulability	Venous thromboembolism	Explains peri-operative, malignancy and immobility risk.
Beck’s Triad	Hypotension Raised JVP Muffled heart sounds	Cardiac tamponade	Obstructive shock physiology → impaired ventricular filling.
Cushing’s Triad	Hypertension Bradycardia Irregular respirations	Raised intracranial pressure	Late sign of impending brain herniation.
Whipple’s Triad	Hypoglycaemic symptoms Low plasma glucose Relief with glucose	True hypoglycaemia	Confirms symptoms are causally linked to hypoglycaemia.
Wernicke’s Triad	Confusion Ataxia Ophthalmoplegia	Wernicke encephalopathy	Thiamine deficiency — triad often incomplete; treat before glucose.
HUS Triad	AKI MAHA Thrombocytopenia	Haemolytic uraemic syndrome	Microangiopathy → avoid antibiotics in acute E. coli O157.
HELLP Triad	Haemolysis Elevated LFTs Low platelets	Severe pre-eclampsia variant	Placental endothelial dysfunction → definitive treatment is delivery.
Horner’s Triad	Ptosis Miosis Anhidrosis	Sympathetic chain lesion	Think carotid dissection, Pancoast tumour, brainstem stroke.
Saint’s Triad	Hiatus hernia Gallstones Diverticular disease	Degenerative GI association	Association only — not causative.
Murphy’s Surgical Triad	RUQ pain Fever Leukocytosis	Acute cholecystitis	Inflammatory obstruction of cystic duct.
Appendicitis Triad	Migratory pain Anorexia Low-grade fever	Acute appendicitis	Visceral → parietal peritoneal irritation explains pain shift.
Boerhaave’s Triad	Vomiting Chest pain Surgical emphysema	Oesophageal rupture	Transmural tear → mediastinitis (high mortality).
Bowel Obstruction Triad	Colicky pain Vomiting Distension	Mechanical obstruction	Constipation is common but not universal.
Trauma Triad of Death	Hypothermia Acidosis Coagulopathy	Major trauma	Self-perpetuating lethal cycle — correct early.
Concussion Triad	LOC Amnesia Headache	Mild traumatic brain injury	Normal CT does not exclude significant injury.
Epidural Haematoma Triad	Lucid interval Rapid deterioration Fixed dilated pupil	MMA bleed	Arterial bleed → time-critical neurosurgery.
Flail Chest Triad	Paradoxical movement Respiratory distress Chest wall pain	Blunt thoracic trauma	Often compounded by pulmonary contusion.
Pelvic Fracture Triad	Pelvic pain Shock Perineal bruising	High-energy trauma	Pelvis can conceal massive haemorrhage — binder early.
Septic Arthritis Triad	Hot swollen joint Pain on movement Systemic upset	Joint infection	Aspiration before antibiotics whenever possible.
SLE Activity Triad	Anti-dsDNA ↑ Complement ↓ CRP ±	Active lupus	Helps differentiate flare from infection (use PCT).

📌 Makindo master pearl: Triads are cognitive scaffolds, not diagnostic rules. Patients frequently present with partial or evolving triads — physiology, trajectory, and context always matter more than pattern recall.

Famous Medical Triads

📚 Famous Medical, Surgical & Trauma Triads — Master Table (Makindo)

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