Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is an inherited condition that is sometimes known as dwarfism. The average height in males can be 4 feet 4 inches and 4 feet 1 inch for females. Achondroplasia is actually one of the oldest birth defects.  A fetus with achondroplasia will be known to have a narrow trunk and short extremities.  The head of the baby will most likely be large or larger than normal.  This will be identified in the womb by using ultrasound images.  people that are diagnosed with achondroplasia can lead a normal and healthy life.  However, they do need to be monitored from time to time. Sometimes these patients are given human growth hormones. 


Reference:  article found at http://www.medicinenet.com/achondroplasia 10/31/10

Daisy 

Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis affects about 32 million people each year here in the US.  This disease affects people of all ages.  Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are nasal stuffiness, facial fullness and tenderness, cough and/or sore throat, sneezing, stuffy ears, dental pain, sometimes a fever, and nasal drainage.  With chronic sinusitis these symptoms can last up to 3 months or longer.  People that suffer from recurrent chronic sinusitis will often get a CT scan that will show the fluid and build up in their sinuses. 

Reference: found at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/232791-overview found 10/11/2010



DH

Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is the most common type of hyperthyroidism.  When a person is diagnosed with Graves' disease, this means that there thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone.  Some symptoms of Graves' disease are fatigue, irritabilty, weight loss, and a goiter.  A goiter is an enlarged thyroid.  One of the most common symptoms of Graves' is the eyeballs of these people will look very enlarged.  To treat Graves' a person may undergo thyroid surgery or they may have radioiodine therapy performed.  With radioiodine therapy the person will swallow a radioactive iodine pill.  This pill will kill the thyroid gland. 





infomation found at http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/graves retrieved 09/30/10

Empty Sella Syndrome

Empty sella syndrome is where there is an enlarged sella turcica that is due by partially or completely filled cerebrospinal fluid (csf).  Empty sella syndrome can sometimes be seen on a plain xray, but is more often seen on mri.  In most cases an empty sella is due because of an endocrine abnormality followed by an abnormality am craniofacial areas.  There is no reason why, but empty sella syndrome appears to occur in more women than men.  Complaints of headaches are the most common sign followed by dizziness, equilibrium problems, and seizures.  For most cases, surgery is not needed.  However, in the most severe will require surgery. 


Agarwal, J.K. (2001).  Empty Sella Syndrome.  Journal Indian Academy of Clinical MedicineVol. 2,    No.3 July-September 2001 198-201. Retrieved 09/30/2010 from medind.nic.in/jac

Fig. 2. T₁ weighted MRI brain in midsagittal section shows small pituitary gland which is compressed from below by CSF inside the sella turcica.

image found at http://indianpediatrics.net/jan2000/images1.htm