Other X-rays.
Candidates were asked to describe the X-ray findings, list possible aetiologies, and suggest relevant further investigations or treatment. Pathology presented included pleural and pericardial effusions, a cerebral tumour, a (saddle) pulmonary embolus, and a bowel obstruction. Introductory questions included:
“This is the CT scan of a patient 3 days post cardiac surgery who is hypoxaemic.”
“This is a non-contrast CT scan of a 37 yr. old man who presents with a 6 week history of vague headaches.”
“This is a CT investigation of a 56 year old man 5 days post hip replacement. He was found collapsed on the ward.”
“These are abdominal x rays of a 55 yr. old woman who presents to the Emergency Department with severe generalised abdominal pain. She has a history of long-standing constipation.” Twenty-five out of twenty-seven candidates passed this station.
Disclaimer: the viva stem above may be an original CICM stem, acquired from their publicly available past papers. Or, perhaps it is a slightly altered version of the original CICM stem. Or, it is a completely original viva stem, concocted by the monstrously amoral author of Deranged Physiology for nothing more than his own personal amusement. In either case, because the college do not make the main viva text or marking criteria available, almost everything here has been confabulated. It might sound like a plausible viva and it could be used for the purpose of practice, but all should be aware that it does not represent the "true" canonical CICM viva station.