Compression Fracture of the Spine

Compression fractures are breaks where the bone is squished or pushed down. These are most commonly from a trauma but can also be found in elderly and other people with brittle bones and osteoporosis. The trauma is usually from a large fall of some sort. Osteoporosis is when the bone becomes weak and thinner making it more vulnerable. Some of the symptoms for a compression fracture include back neck or hip pain, loss of height, numbness, weakness, and loss of control of bowel or urine.

A compression fracture can be found by doing an X-ray, CT, or MRI. Treatment may vary depending on the severity of the fracture. In some cases, the fracture can push on or damage the spinal cord. After being diagnosed with a compression fracture, a doctor may suggest wearing a brace, using hot/cold compresses, exercising, or possibly surgery. Although these fractures could happen to anyone, the chances can be decreased by keeping bones healthy and strong. Some of these include not smoking, exercising, and eating a balanced diet.

image: http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/Images/spine_images/COMPRESSION%20FRACTURE.jpg http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/spine/spine_thoracic/compression_fx/thoracic_compression_fx_intro01.jpg

Clay Shoveler's Fracture

The Clay Shoveler's fracture is not a frequent fracture. It is a fracture most common in the lower cervical spine and common fracture near the spinous process. It's most common spine fractures include C6, C7, and T1 and is caused by sudden exertions or extensions of the spine. For this reason, it is most common in labors who do sudden movements with weight. The name originates from clay workers who shoveled clay and had this injury. This fracture results from hyperflexion and is noted to be an injury from snow shoveling. The muscles' force it was actually pulls the bone from the spine.

This fracture is usually determined with an x-ray. Surgery is usually not required and treatment is pretty simple. Many times the patient will just have to wear a neck brace for a given period of time. Full recovery is usually expected.

Images:

http://www.gentili.net/image.asp?ID=19&imgid=clayshoveler.jpg&Fx=Clay+Shoveler%27s+Fracture

http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/Cases/bwh/images/123/Alia8Arrow.GIF

Carotid Dissection

Carotid dissection forms from tears in the arterial walls. Narrowing or complete occlusion may occur from the blood flowing between the inner and outer layers of the artery. Blood clots can form from the dissection and can lead to a stroke or traveling emboli. Carotid dissection is a significant cause for ischemic strokes in people of all ages and favors neither sex more than the other. These dissections can be classified as traumatic or spontaneous. The spontaneous are known for causing strokes in middle-aged people. The traumatic are most commonly from trauma to the head or neck.

Some common symptoms include headache, neck pain, neck swelling, focal weakness, decreased taste sensory, and many others. There are numerous causes for this dissection. Oral contraceptives, hypertension, trauma, and many others. Some studies that can be done to diagnose dissection include angiography, MRA, CTA, Doppler or Duplex. Treatment includes observation, stenting, and rehabilitation depending on the situation.

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Ranula

A ranula is a type of tumor found on the bottom of the mouth or under tongue. These tumors can be hard to find and diagnose. They may change in size and not change in color from surrounding tissue, especially on a deeper one. If the ranula is noticeable, it may appear to be blue. If the ranula becomes large enough it may disrupt swallowing, breathing, or become painful. With swelling, the tongue may become elevated. In most cases, however, there is no pain associated with ranulas. Ranulas may result from obstruction in the sublingual salivary glands or less frequently the submandibulary salivary glands.

Diagnosis of ranulas may include palpation or appearance. Treatment may include a mouth wash to help, excision (cutting or removing) of the ranula, and draining are some of the options. It is not uncommon for ranulas to reoccur and come back.

Picture: http://www.kinderchirurgie.ch/atlas/atlaskopfhals/ranula.JPG

Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is a disease that is caused by a mutation in the gene FGFR3 fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene. Its meaning is "without cartilage formation." It is sometimes inherited, but usually occurs at time of conception. This mutation affects the growth of bone. People affected by this disorder are short statured and have an average height of 4foot 4 in males and 4 foot 1 in females. Appearance wise, these people tend to have disproportionate arms and legs, a large head, and a prominent forehead.

This condition can be found through DNA testing for parents with it, an ultrasound may also show it before birth. Most of the time, the features are visible from birth but it is evident on a x-ray and many times a bone study is performed. As of now, there is no treatment achondroplasia. People who have achondroplasia are more than capable of living healthy lives. Although, they do tend to have ear infections commonly and troubles with obesity. Infants may have weak muscles and a delay in walking and other motor skills.

Image: http://www.moondragon.org/obgyn/graphics/achondroplasiacomparison.jpg

Angiofibroma

An angiofibroma is a benign tumor filled with fibrous tissues. This tumor grows in the nasal cavity. It often times called juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma because it is most common in adolescent males. The peak age is usually around 15. Some of the symptoms associated with this disease are nasal blockage of one side, bleeding of the nose, discomfort swallowing, headache, trouble hearing, and many others. One of the believed causes for this tumor occurring is hormones. There are many stages with this tumor.

Most of the studies that are done to diagnosis this problem are in radiology. A general x-ray may show it, but CT and MRI show them the best. Treatment may include hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, and the most common is surgery.

Image: http://www.medscape.com/content/2001/00/40/66/406652/art-ar3005.01.Fig6.jpg

Orbital Cellulitis

Orbital cellulitis is a condition that targets and age or sex that is characterized by swelling of the eyelid with redness and pain. This can be a result of numerous sources such as microbial infections, bacteria from sinus infection, stye, bug bites, or injury to the eye. Some of the main symptoms include an elevated fever around 102F or more, painful swelling of eyelid, decreased vision, shiny red or purple eyelids, bulging eyes, and difficult and painful eye movements.

Some of the tests that may be use to diagnosis orbital cellulitis include a complete blood count check, blood cultures, spinal tap (extreme cases), sinus x-ray, CT or MRI of sinuses & orbits, and a throat culture. Treatment is mainly just admitting the patient to the hospital and administering antibiotics in an IV. Surgery may be needed for more serious cases to be able to drain it. The best treatment is quick treatment. Some complications may be hearing loss, optic nerve damage, loss of vision, and cavernous sinus thrombosis. Prevention may be achieved in children by giving the HiB vaccine and for everyone to detect sinus and other infections early on.

Picture: http://www.drfante.com/images/orbital_cellulitis.jpg