Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs most often in children.  Especially those who are active in sports.  This disease is more likely to occur in boys than girls.  A painful lump behind the patella is detected and occurs during a growth spurt while the person is in active puberty.  The knee pain will become more painful with more activity.  Xray and MR will help in the diagnosis of this disease. 


information found at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osgood-schlatter-disease

Daisy

Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff tears are a very common cause of pain in many adults.  Most commonly, tears occur in the supraspinatus muscle.  The rotator cuff can be torn from a single traumatic injury such as a shoulder fracture or a dislocation.  Patients often report to their doctor with shoulder pain that has been going on for several months.  Most tears, however, are the result of overuse of these muscles and tendons over a period of years. People who are especially at risk for overuse are those who engage in repetitive overhead motions such as with certain athletes.  Rotator cuff tears are most common in people who are over the age of 40. Younger people tend to have rotator cuff tears following acute trauma or repetitive athletic moves.  Some symptoms of a rotator cuff tear are athinning of the muscles around the shoulder, pain and or weakness when lifting the arm, and a crackling sensation when moving the shoulder into certain positions.  A diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear is based on the symptoms and physical examination. xrays, MRI, and sometimes US are helpful in diagnosing a rotator cuff tear. 



image found at http://www.iknow2.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/rotator_cuff_tear_mri.jpg

information found at http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic


Daisy Hallmark

Uterine Leiomyoma (fibroids)

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common type of a pelvic tumor in females.  Women over the age of 30 are most likely affected by fibroids.  The fibroid's growth depends on the amount of estrogen in the body.  Symptoms of uterine fibroids are gas, constipation, bleeding in between a period, urinary frequency, pain at time of sex, cram,ping, and heavy menstrual bleeding.  Ultrasound is the first diagnostic tool used to determine if there is a fibroid.  Often times MR is used. 


Information found at http://health.google.com/health/ref/uterine+fibroids

Daisy

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is defined as inflamtion of the pancreas.  Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic.  Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs suddenly.  It is usually resolves within a few days, however acute pancreatitis can become lifethreatening if left untreated.  Gallstones is the most common cause of pancreatitis as well as heavy alcohol intake.  Ct is the best tool along with ultrasound to aid in diagnosing acute pancreatitis.  Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal or improve.  This will most likely lead to some type of permanent damage.  The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is many years of alcohol abuse.  Patients with either type of pancreatitis will present with nausea, vomitting, fever, diarrhea, and tender abdomens. 


Daisy

information found at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreatitis/

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder.  The walls of the major arteries are weakened such as the aorta, and small tears occur.  Blood can leak through these tears and cause an even bigger problem for the patient known as an aortic dissection. 
The disease is inherited and will affect different parts of the body.  The symptoms of this disease are heart problems, but doctors can also look at the patient's height and weight.  Marfan Syndrome presents in patients who are tall and thin, have slender fingers, long arms and legs, curvature of the spine and eye problems.  In the most severe cases life-threatening problems may occur at any age.  Once Marfan has been diagnosed, the patient will undergo routine chest xrays, ct scans, and echo cardiograms.  Also, prescriptions drugs are needed to help with blood pressure.  Surgery will be performed if an aortic dissection is noted. 

Daisy Hallmark

Information found at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4672

Pulmonary Embolism -- PE

A PE is a very serious problem.  Many of the symptoms can go on without being noticed, therefore a medical doctor must perform the most appropriate tests to determine if a PE is the patients problem.  A PE is a blood clot that can travel into the lungs and potentially cause death.  The most common symptoms of a PE are chest pains, back pains, or shortness of breath.  The best tool to use to diagnose a PE is a PE study of the chest with a CT scan. 


Daisy Hallmark

Information found at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/759765-overview

Tarlov Cyst

Tarlov cysts are also known as sacral nerve root cysts.  They are abnormal sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid that are very painful.  MRI is the best diagnostic tool to visualize these types of cysts.  Symptoms of Tarlov cysts are pain and/or weakness in the lower back, legs, and feet, abnormal sensations in legs and feet, pain when sitting or standing, and pain when coughing or sneezing.  There can also be bowel and bladder changes, swelling in the lower back area, and a burning sensation in or around the sacral area.  Once diagnosed, the patients are sent to a pain management physician and in some case a urologist if the bladder is involved. 

image found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tarlov_cyst_004.jpg

Daisy

information found at http://www.tarlovcystfoundation.org/TarlovCystInformation.asp