WHITE PAPER

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia: A chronic low-grade (indolent) type of lymphoma due to a malignant clone of plasma cells. These plasma cells multiply out of control, invade the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen, and characteristically produce huge amounts of a large-sized antibody called macroglobulin or IgM. The excess IgM causes the blood to be hyperviscous (to thicken).

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia can occur in younger people but is usually seen in people over age 65. The disease is more common among men than women and among whites than blacks.
Signs and symptoms of the disease may include enlarged lymph nodes or spleen (splenomegaly), fatigue, headaches, weight loss, a tendency to bleed easily, visual problems, confusion, dizziness, and loss of coordination. The symptoms are largely due to the thickening of the blood. In extreme cases, the increased concentration of IgM in the blood can lead to heart failure.

The treatment depends upon the viscosity of the patient's blood. Patients with pronounced hyperviscosity usually receive chemotherapy (anticancer drugs). A type of treatment called plasmapheresis may be performed to relieve symptoms such as excessive bleeding and dizziness. In this procedure, the blood plasma (which contains the antibody IgM) is removed from the patient.

Other parts of the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) are returned to the patient along with a plasma substitute. Interferon alpha, a form of biological therapy, may also help relieve symptoms.

Bacterial prostatitis, chronic

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Bacterial prostatitis, chronic: Longstanding bacterial infection of the prostate gland superimposed on a defect in the prostate. (The prostate is a small organ below the bladder which surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine down from the bladder.) The symptoms can include low back pain, discomfort in the perineum (the area between the anus and the genitalia), testicular pain and, if the infection spreads to the bladder, mild pain or burning on urination (dysuria) and frequent and urgent need to urinate (frequency and urgency). The presence of white blood cells and bacteria in the urine attests to the fact that the urinary tract is infected with bacteria.

The defect in the prostate is the focal point for the persistent infection. Effective treatment requires identification and correction of this defect before antibiotics can be effective.

Bacterial prostatitis, acute

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Bacterial prostatitis, acute: Inflammation of the prostate gland of sudden (acute) onset due to bacterial infection. The symptoms include chills, fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, body aches, burning or painful urination, and the frequent and urgent need to urinate. The urinary tract is infected, as evidenced by the presence of the white blood cells and bacteria in the urine. Treatment is with antibiotics.

The prostate, a small organ about the size of a walnut, is below the bladder (where urine is stored) and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder). The prostate normally produces a fluid that becomes part of the semen

Bacterial artificial chromosome

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Bacterial artificial chromosome: A laboratory creation involving an artificially constructed chromosome in which medium-sized segments of DNA (100,000 to 300,000 bases in length) that come from another species are cloned into bacteria. Once the foreign DNA has been cloned into the bacteria's chromosome, many copies of it can be made (amplified) and sequenced.

Bacterial artificial chromosome is abbreviated BAC.

Acoustic neuroma

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:23:00 +0000

Acoustic neuroma: A benign tumor that may develop on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear. The tumor results from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- small sheet-like cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin and help support the nerves. When growth is abnormally excessive, Schwann cells bunch together, pressing against the hearing and balance nerves, often causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. If the tumor becomes large, it can interfere with the facial nerve, causing partial paralysis, and eventually press against nearby brain structures, becoming life-threatening.

The early diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma is the key to preventing its serious consequences. Unfortunately, early detection of the tumor is sometimes difficult because the symptoms may be subtle and may not appear in the beginning stages of growth. Once the symptoms do appear, a thorough ear examination and hearing test are essential for diagnosis. Computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are helpful in determining the location and size of a tumor and also in planning its microsurgical removal.

If an acoustic neuroma is surgically removed when it is still very small, hearing may be preserved and accompanying symptoms may go away. As the tumor grows larger, surgical removal is often more complicated because the tumor may become firmly attached to the nerves that control facial movement, hearing, and balance.

The removal of tumors attached to hearing, balance, or facial nerves can make the patient's symptoms worse because sections of these nerves must also be removed with the tumor. As an alternative to conventional surgical techniques, radiosurgery may be used to reduce the size or limit the growth of the tumor. Radiosurgery, utilizing carefully focused radiation, is sometimes performed on the elderly, on patients with tumors on both hearing nerves, or on patients with a tumor growing on the nerve of their only hearing ear. If the tumor is not removed, MRI is used to carefully monitor its growth.

There are two types of acoustic neuroma: unilateral and bilateral. Unilateral acoustic neuromas affect only one ear. They account for approximately 8 percent of all tumors inside the skull. Symptoms may develop at any age but usually occur between the ages of 30 and 60 years.
Bilateral acoustic neuromas, which affect both ears, are hereditary. Inherited from one's parents, this tumor results from a genetic disorder known as neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2). Affected individuals have a 50 percent chance of passing this disorder on to their children. Unlike those with a unilateral acoustic neuroma, individuals with NF2 usually develop symptoms in their teens or early adulthood. Because NF2 patients usually have multiple tumors, the surgical procedure is more complicated than the removal of a unilateral acoustic neuroma. Further research is needed to determine the best approach in these circumstances.

In addition to tumors arising from the hearing and balance nerves, NF2 patients may develop tumors on other cranial nerves associated with swallowing, speech, eye and facial movement, and facial sensation. NF2 patients may also develop tumors within the spinal cord and on the brain's thin covering.

Both types of acoustic neuroma occur following a loss of the function of a gene on chromosome 22. A gene is a small section of DNA responsible for a particular trait like hair color or skin tone. This particular gene on chromosome 22 suppresses the growth of Schwann cells. When this gene malfunctions, Schwann cells can grow out of control. This gene may help suppress other types of tumor growth. In NF2 patients, the faulty gene on chromosome 22 is inherited.
Acoustic neuroma is also called an acoustic neurinoma or a vestibular schwannoma

Acoustic neurofibromatosis

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Acoustic neurofibromatosis : Abbreviated NF2. A genetic disorder characterized by the growth of benign tumors of both acoustic nerves (the nerves to the ears). These tumors are called acoustic neuromas or, more precisely, vestibular schwannomas. They cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss, and problems with balance. Other findings in NF2 include schwannomas of other nerves, meningiomas, and juvenile cataracts.

NF2 is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is due to mutation in the NF2 gene in chromosome band 22q12.2 which encodes a protein called merlin. About 50% of persons with NF2 inherit it from an affected parent and the other 50% with NF2 have a new gene mutation. Anyone with NF2 has a 50% risk of transmitting it to each of their children. Prenatal testing is available.

Also known as bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis and central neurofibromatosis.

Acoustic neurinoma

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Acoustic neurinoma: A benign tumor that may develop on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear. The tumor results from an overproduction of Schwann cells -- small sheet-like cells that normally wrap around nerve fibers like onion skin and help support the nerves. When growth is abnormally excessive, Schwann cells bunch together, pressing against the hearing and balance nerves, often causing gradual hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. If the tumor becomes large, it can interfere with the facial nerve, causing partial paralysis, and eventually press against nearby brain structures, becoming life-threatening.

The early diagnosis of an acoustic neurinoma is the key to preventing its serious consequences. Unfortunately, early detection of the tumor is sometimes difficult because the symptoms may be subtle and may not appear in the beginning stages of growth. Once the symptoms do appear, a thorough ear examination and hearing test are essential for diagnosis. Computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are helpful in determining the location and size of a tumor and also in planning its microsurgical removal.

If an acoustic neurinoma is surgically removed when it is still very small, hearing may be preserved and accompanying symptoms may go away. As the tumor grows larger, surgical removal is often more complicated because the tumor may become firmly attached to the nerves that control facial movement, hearing, and balance.

The removal of tumors attached to hearing, balance, or facial nerves can make the patient's symptoms worse because sections of these nerves must also be removed with the tumor. As an alternative to conventional surgical techniques, radiosurgery may be used to reduce the size or limit the growth of the tumor. Radiosurgery, utilizing carefully focused radiation, is sometimes performed on the elderly, on patients with tumors on both hearing nerves, or on patients with a tumor growing on the nerve of their only hearing ear. If the tumor is not removed, MRI is used to carefully monitor its growth.

There are two types of acoustic neurinoma: unilateral and bilateral. Unilateral acoustic neurinomas affect only one ear. They account for approximately 8 percent of all tumors inside the skull. Symptoms may develop at any age but usually occur between the ages of 30 and 60 years.

Bilateral acoustic neurinomas, which affect both ears, are hereditary. Inherited from one's parents, this tumor results from a genetic disorder known as neurofibromatosis-2 (NF2). Affected individuals have a 50 percent chance of passing this disorder on to their children. Unlike those with a unilateral acoustic neurinoma, individuals with NF2 usually develop symptoms in their teens or early adulthood. Because NF2 patients usually have multiple tumors, the surgical procedure is more complicated than the removal of a unilateral acoustic neurinoma. Further research is needed to determine the best approach in these circumstances.
In addition to tumors arising from the hearing and balance nerves, NF2 patients may develop tumors on other cranial nerves associated with swallowing, speech, eye and facial movement, and facial sensation. NF2 patients may also develop tumors within the spinal cord and on the brain's thin covering.

Both types of acoustic neurinoma occur following a loss of the function of a gene on chromosome 22. A gene is a small section of DNA responsible for a particular trait like hair color or skin tone. This particular gene on chromosome 22 suppresses the growth of Schwann cells. When this gene malfunctions, Schwann cells can grow out of control. This gene may help suppress other types of tumor growth. In NF2 patients, the faulty gene on chromosome 22 is inherited.
Acoustic neurinoma is also called an acoustic neuroma or a vestibular schwannoma.

Acoustic nerve

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Acoustic nerve: A cranial nerve concerned with hearing, balance and head position. The acoustic nerve is the 8th cranial nerve. It branches into two parts -- a cochlear part integral to hearing and a vestibular part which mediates the sense of balance and head position. Also called the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Acoustic aphasia

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Acoustic aphasia : Impairment in the understanding of auditory language and communication. Sounds are heard but they convey no meaning. The 20th century Russian composer Vissarion Shebalin had auditory aphasia after a stroke but remained an outstanding composer. The comprehension of auditory language and the musical organization of acoustic perception rely on different systems in the brain. Auditory aphasia is also known as acoustic aphasia and word deafness.

Acoustic

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:17:00 +0000

Acoustic: Having to do with sound or hearing. The acoustic nerve (the 8th cranial nerve) is concerned with hearing and the sense of balance and head position. An acoustic neuroma is a tumor on the acoustic nerve.

Acid, folic

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Acid, folic: One of the B vitamins that is a key factor in the synthesis (the making) of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA).

A deficiency of folic acid after birth causes a kind of anemia, namely, megaloblastic anemia in which there is a paucity of red blood cells and those that are made are unusually large and immature (so-called blast cells).

Lack of adequate folic acid during pregnancy was first found to increase the risk for the baby to have a birth defect involving the spinal cord and brain -- a neural tube defect such as spina bifida (meningomyelocele) or anencephaly.

The association was then investigated between the mother's use of drugs that act as folic acid antagonists in the first trimester of pregnancy and the birth of a child with a congenital malformation (birth defect). It was found that folic acid antagonists increased the risk not only of neural tube defects but also of congenital heart malformations, cleft lip and palate , and urinary tract defects. Folic acid. it now is clear, reduces the risks for a remarkably broad gamut of birth defects.

In order for folic acid to be effective in preventing these birth defects, the vitamin must be consumed every day beginning before conception and continuing through the first three months of pregnancy. Educating women (and their doctors) about the importance of folic acid is going to require a major effort. According to one study, only 10% of women know that folic acid should be taken before pregnancy.

Acid, fatty

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:12:00 +0000

Acid, fatty: One of many molecules that are long chains of lipid-carboxylic acid found in fats and oils and in cell membranes as a component of phospholipids and glycolipids. (Carboxylic acid is an organic acid containing the functional group -COOH.)

Fatty acids come from animal and vegetable fats and oils. Fatty acids play roles outside the body; they are used as lubricants, in cooking and food engineering, and in the production of soaps, detergents, and cosmetics.

Related terms include the following:

Essential fatty acid: An essential fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid needed by the body that is synthesized by plants but not by the human body and is therefore a dietary requirement.
Free fatty acids: By-products of the metabolism of fat in adipose tissues.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of fatty acids found in fish oils, especially in salmon and other cold-water fish, that lowers the levels of cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoproteins) in the blood. (LDL cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol.)

Trans fatty acid: Trans fatty acids (trans fats) are made through hydrogenation to solidify liquid oils. They increase the shelf life of oils and are found in vegetable shortenings and in some margarines, crackers, cookies, and snack foods. Intake of trans fatty acids increases blood LDL-cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) levels and raises the risk of coronary heart disease.

Acid, bile

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Bile acid: An acid made by the liver that works with bile to break down fats.

On a more technical level, bile acids are steroid carboxylic acids derived from cholesterol. The primary bile acids are cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids. They are conjugated with glycine or taurine before they are secreted into the bile.

Acid, amino

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Acid, amino: One of the 20 building blocks of protein. The sequence of amino acids in a protein and, hence, the function of that protein are determined by the genetic code in the DNA.

Amino acids are molecules that (in technical terms) contain a basic amino (NH2) group, an acidic carboxyl (COOH) group and a side chain attached to an alpha carbon atom.

The 20 amino acids are alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

The term "amino acids" dates to the middle of the 19th century. The idea that amino acids are "Bausteine" (building stones) came from the Nobel Prize winning German biochemist Albrecht Kossel (1853-1927).

Acid reflux

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Acid reflux: A common condition and an abnormal one in which acid in the stomach rises up into the esophagus. This occurs because the valve separating the contents of the stomach from the esophagus does not function properly. See also: GERD.

Acid rain

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Acid rain: Rain resulting from the combination of fossil fuel emissions and water in the atmosphere. The environmental effects of acid rain include the acidification of lakes and streams, damage to trees at high altitude, the acceleration of decay in buildings and poorer air quality.

Acid rain also poses serious human health risks by contributing to heart and lung disorders such as asthma and bronchitis. Acid rain can be reduced by the regulation of industrial emissions and the adoption of energy efficiency alternatives and pollution prevention programs. Acid rain is a form of acid deposition.

Acid phosphatase

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Acid phosphatase: Acid phosphatase is an enzyme that works under acid conditions and is made in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and the prostate gland.

Abnormally high serum levels of the enzyme may, for example, indicate prostate disease (infection, injury, or cancer).

Acid indigestion

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Acid indigestion: Excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach cells. Medically known as hyperchlorhydria. Sometimes used interchangeably with heartburn. See also: Heartburn.

Acid deposition

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Acid deposition: A complex chemical and atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and other substances are transformed by chemical processes in the atmosphere and then deposited on earth in either wet or dry form. The wet forms, popularly called acid rain, can fall to earth as rain, snow, or fog. The dry forms are acidic gases or particulates.

Achillodynia

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Achillodynia: Pain due to inflammation of the Achilles tendon or the bursa associated with it.

The Achilles tendon is one of the better known anatomic features in sports medicine due to the abrupt dramatic nature of some injuries to this tendon. It is in the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle (the triceps surae) with the calcaneus bone in the heel. This tendon is so named for the hero whose heel, according to Greek mythology, was the only part of his body where he could be hurt.

Inflammation in the Achilles bursa is specifically known as achillobursitis.

Achillobursitis

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Achillobursitis: Pain due to inflammation of the bursa associated with the Achilles tendon. .

The Achilles tendon is one of the better known anatomic features in sports medicine due to the abrupt dramatic nature of some injuries to this tendon. It is in the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle (the triceps surae) with the calcaneus bone in the heel. This tendon is so named for the hero whose heel, according to Greek mythology, was the only part of his body where he could be hurt.

Inflammation in the Achilles tendon and bursa is collectively known as achillodynia.

Achilles tendonitis

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the tough sinew that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the calcaneus or heel bone.

Achilles tendonitis causes pain and often swelling over the Achilles tendon. The tendon is tender and may be swollen. There is pain on rising up on the toes and pain with stretching of the tendon. The range of motion of the ankle may be limited.

The causes of Achilles tendonitis include overuse of the tendon, overly tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons, excess uphill running, sudden increase in the intensity of training, sometimes along with switching to racing shoes, or wearing high heels at work and then switching to a lower heeled workout shoe. Exerting rapid stress on the Achilles tendon when it is inflamed can result in rupture of the tendon.

Treatment includes ice packs to the Achilles tendon, raising the lower leg, and an anti-inflammatory medication. In some severe cases of Achilles tendonitis, a cast may be needed for several weeks. The doctor may also prescribe a heel lift insert for the shoe to prevent future overstretching of the Achilles tendon.

Prevention of Achilles tendonitis includes stretching the calf muscles and Achilles tendons carefully before doing vigorous activities. If the Achilles tendons or calf muscles are especially tight, it is a good idea to stretch them twice a day whether or not sports activities are planned that day.

Historical aside: According to Greek mythology, Achilles's mother held him as a baby by the heel and dipped him in the river Styx to make him invulnerable but the heel by which she held him remained unimmersed and hence vulnerable, as Paris' arrow in Achilles' heel later proved. As anyone who has suffered Achilles tendonitis knows, the Achilles tendon is indeed a point of vulnerability.

Achilles tendon

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Achilles tendon: A tough sinew that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone. The Achilles tendon is one of the longest tendons in the body. It is also called the tendo Achilles or the tendo calcaneus, the calcaneus being the heel bone.

According to Greek mythology, Achilles's mother held him as a baby by the heel and dipped him in the river Styx to make him invulnerable but the heel by which she held him remained unimmersed and hence vulnerable, as Paris' arrow in Achilles' heel later proved.

Achilles

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Achilles: In Greek mythology, the hero who was thought to have some special medical knowledge. Achilles studied medicine with Chiron, the centaur, who invented it.

"...But save me. Take me to the ship, cut this arrow out of my leg, wash the blood from it with warm water and put the right things on it - the plants they say you have learned about from Achilles who learned them from Chiron, the best of the Centaurs." (The Iliad of Homer, Book XI).

Acetabular labrum

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Acetabular labrum: A ring of fibrocartilage (fibrous cartilage) that runs around the acetabulum (cup) of the hip joint and increases its depth. The head of the femur (the bone in the thigh) fits in the acetabulum. The labrum deepens this cavity and effectively increases the surface (and strength) of the hip joint.

Injuries to the acetabular labrum can occur from chronic trauma due to repetitive hip motion or from acute trauma as, for example, from a direct blow to the hip or a violent motion of the hip.
Signs and symptoms of a acetabular labrum injury include pain accompanying hip motion, occasional pain in the hip at night or during daily activities, decreased range of motion and loss of strength in the hip.

Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication and rest. Exercises to strengthen the hip muscles may then be recommended. If these measures are not effective, arthroscopic surgery may be done.

In medicine, a labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage around the edge of the articular (joint) surface of a bone. The Latin "labrum" means "lip." The term is used generally to designate a lip, edge, or brim. Plural, labra.