Aarskog syndrome 02/05/2008
Aarskog syndrome is an inherited disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance of the face. Inherited means that it is passed down through families.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Aarskog syndrome is a genetic disorder. It affects mainly males, but females may have a milder form. The condition is caused by changes (mutations) in a gene called "faciogenital dysplasia" (FGDY1).
Symptoms: Belly button that sticks out Bulge in the groin or scrotum (inguinal hernia ) Delayed sexual maturation Delayed teeth Downward palpebral slant to eyes Hairline with a "widow's peak" Mildly sunken chest ( pectus excavatum ) Mild to moderate mental problems Mild to moderate short stature which may not be obvious until the child is 1 - 3 years old Poorly developed midportion of the face Rounded face "Shawl" scrotum , testicles that have not come down (undescended) Short fingers and toes with mild webbing Single crease in palm of hand Small, broad hands and feet with short fingers and curved-in 5th finger Small nose with nostrils tipped forward Top portion of the ear folded over slightly Wide groove above the upper lip, crease below the lower lip Wide-set eyes with droopy eyelids
Signs and tests: Genetic testing for mutations in the FGDY1 gene X-rays
Treatment: Moving the teeth (orthodontic treatment) may be done for some of the abnormal facial features.
Aase syndrome 07/02/2007
Aase-Smith syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Most cases of Aase syndrome occur without a known reason and are not passed down through families (inherited). However, some cases have been shown to be inherited as an autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive traitn. The anemia associated with Aase syndrome is caused by underdevelopment of the bone marrow, which is where blood cells are formed.
Abdomen - swollen 11/16/2008
Swollen belly; Swelling in the abdomen; Abdominal distention; Distended abdomen
Considerations: Abdominal swelling, or distention, is a common condition, which usually results from over-eating, rather than from a serious illness. Simple weight gain , premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , pregnancy, or the unconscious swallowing of air can lead to this problem.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm 08/28/2008
Aneurysm - aortic
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include: Emphysema Genetic factors High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Male gender Smoking An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop in anyone, but is most often seen in males over 60 who have one or more risk factors.
Abdominal bloating 03/08/2008
Bloating; Meteorism
Considerations:
Common Causes: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Constipation Excess gas in the bowel Irritable bowel syndrome Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances Overeating Partial bowel obstruction Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
Important but uncommon causes of abdominal bloating include ascites and tumors, such as those arising from ovarian cancer .
Abdominal CT scan 01/24/2007
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography. See also: CT scan
How the test is performed: You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Usually, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above the head. The health care provider may inject a dye into one of your veins. This helps certain diseases and organs show up better on the images.
Abdominal distress 04/25/2008
Diseases or problems with any of the organs inside the abdominal cavity can lead to pain as well as other symptoms such as a change in bowel habits, nausea, or vomiting. Abdominal pain may be: Acute (sudden) or chronic (ongoing) Crampy or sharp Associated with abdominal rigidity (board-like stiffness) Rigidity suggests peritonitis and may be due to a ruptured organ (such as the appendix).
Abdominal exploration 10/16/2006
Laparotomy; Exploratory laparotomy
Description: The abdomen contains many organs: Stomach Small intestine (jejunum and ileum) Large intestine (colon) Liver Spleen Gallbladder Pancreas Uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (in women) Kidneys, ureters, and bladder Some problems inside the abdomen can be easily diagnosed with imaging tests such as x-rays and CT scans , but many problems require surgery to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
Abdominal film 05/17/2007
Abdominal x-ray; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB
How the test is performed: The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures.
Abdominal girth 10/31/2007
Review Date: 10/31/2007 Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, M.D., Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
