Sunday, March 30, 2008

GOITER



When the thyroid gland is enlarged it is called a goiter, if goiters get to large they may interfere with breathing and swallowing.
Women more often than men develop goiters.
A symptom of a goiter is an enlargement of the neck.
Diagnosing a goiter can be made from different tests such as a hormone blood test, MRI, CT, Ultrasound or thyroid scan.
Treatment can range from observation, medications surgery, and in come cases radioactive iodine.
Goiters are not life threating.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

ANEURYSM



Aneurysms are a ballooning or widening of a vessel, normally it occurs in the circle of Willis. Aneurysms are generally an acquired problem and possibly genetic in nature. Some health conditions are associated with aneurysms are:
- Marfan Syndrome
- polycystic kidney disease
- neurofibromatosis
- high blood pressure
- tobacco use
- alcohol consumption
Some symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm are:
- severe headache
- stiff neck
- vomiting
- nausea
- altered mental status
Diagnostic test that can be performed are as follows:
- MRI
- CT
- Lumbar puncture
- cerebral angiogram

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Sinusitis


Swelling or inflammation of the tissues of the sinus is called sinusitis.
Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become fluid filled and germs can grow causing an infection. There are several types of sinusitis depending on the duration ranging from acute to chronic. Anyone is at risk for developing sinusitis.
Syptoms inlcude
*pain or presure in the face
*nasal congestion
*fever
*cough
*bad breath
*headaches
Treatment can range from moist warm air and over the counter decongestants and in some cases antibiotics can be perscribed, generally this is no longer the case. In rare instances sinus surgery may be necessary to drain the infection from the sinus cavity.
CT is the better imaging modality for diagnosing sinusitis.