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.

Optic Neuritis

When the optic nerve gets inflammed it's called optic neuritis. It can be brought on by in infection (viral) or from an auto immune disease.
Symptoms of optic neuritis includes:
-vision loss
-most experience pain while moving the eye
The first symptom that may occur in about 20 percent of people who are going to get Multiple Sclerosis is optic neuritis.
MRI is the better screening tool to use to diagnose optic neuritis.
Generally optic neuritis resolves itself, but steroids may be used for treatment of the inflamation.
In about two to six months people return to their normal vision.

Images obtained from:
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic186.htm

Empty Sellar Syndrome

Empty sellar syndrome is when the pituitary gland, chich sits in the sella turcica has shrunk or has been flattened.
Symptoms of Empty Sellar Syndrome are
-possible elevated prolactin levels
-headache
-vision problems
MRI and CT both can be used as a diagnostic test for Empty Sellar Syndrome.
There are usually no adverse health effects and a normal life expectancy is expected with this disorder.

image from
http://www.gfmer.ch/selected_images_v2/detail_list.php?cat1=23&cat3=208&stype=d

Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis generally results from an infection of the middle ear that moves into the mastoid bone area.
Children get mastoidits more often than adults.
To treat mastoiditis generally antibiotics are given. In some cases surgery will be performed so the mastoid can be drained, although, not common.