Adding blog

I hope you see these blogs. I tried to email you two times to add my name to the blog list. So I just finally decided to go under the clinicals webblog to get to my procedures post.

Tethered Spinal Cord

Tethered spinal cord is a neurological condition in which the spinal cord is attached which limits the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. The spinal cord can be abnormally stretched which can cause neurological symptoms.
Symptoms in children include:
-leisons, hair patches, dimples, and fatty tumors on the lower back
-foot and spinal deformities
-low back pain
-scoliosis
-incontinence
Symptoms in undiagnosed adults include:
-motor and sensory problems
-loss of bowel control
-loss of bladder control
Imaging procedures include plain xrays, CT, and MRI, with MRI being the better imaging modality.
Treatment is generally surgical repair.

Thoracic Tumors

Although rare, spinal tumors do occur. They can be malignant or benign. They can be dangerous because of the possibility of compression of the spinal canal which could lead to paralysis.
Some benign tumors include:
-osteochondroma
-osteoblastoma
-giant cell tumors
-hemangioma
Some malignant tumors include
-plasmacytoma
-Ewing's sarcoma
-lymphoma
-chondrosarcoma
-chondroma
Diagnosis can be mad through x-rays and a CT or MRI can provide further detail. Treatment could be surgical or non surgical using bracing, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or embolyzation.

HERNIATED DISK

Although most herniations occur in the lumbar region they can also occur in the cervical region. Signs of herniation include weakness or numbness in an extremity and pain. Risk factors to herniation include: age, smoking, weight, diabetic and occupaional strain. Diagnosing tests can range from MRI, CT, myelogram, xrays. Although not life treatening it can cause a lot of pain , loss of movement, and loss of sensation. Treatment for herniation can range from modified activity, physical therapy, hot or cold compresses, medication for pain, rest and in some cases surgery.

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.

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

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.