Graves Disease

Graves disease is an autoimmune caused from an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). This disease tends to effect women within the age of 20 to 40, however it is found in children, the elderly and infants. Symptoms include heat sensitivity, goiters, bulging of eyes, fatigue, sleeplessness, weight loss, and irritability. Patients may also develop red thickening of the skin on the shins called pretibial myxedema. Patients may not develop symptoms at all. Some things that have been linked for the cause of this disease is possible heredity, stress, hormones levels, age, sex and body's immune system. There are three treatments for this disease including radioactive iodine, medication, and surgery. If left untreated it may cause problems with pregnancy and may even lead to death.

References:

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/autoimmune-disorders/overview.html

http://www.4women.gov/FAQ/graves.htm#a

Macroadenoma

Pituitary Macroadenoma is a non-cancerous tumor on the pituitary gland that has grown more than 10mm. Since the pituitary gland produces a number of hormones that regulate differnt things there are different classifications of macroadenoma depending on the symptoms and hormones sectreted. If the pituitary stops producing hormones it is termed a non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma. Some symptoms are specific to certian macroadenomas.

Symptoms range from mild, tiredness or restlessness, to severe like headaches, vomiting and/or dizziness. If the macroadenoma becomes large enough it can press on the optic nerve causing vision complications. Large pituitary macroadenomas can distort the sella turcica making it larger than normal. They can also cause midline shifts and depress on different portions of the brain causing varying symptoms.

(Image showing enlarged sella turcica)

Diagnosis is usually obtained by asking the patient for any family history of the disease, symptoms the patient is having, and if the patient is on any medication. Both CT and MRI exams can be ordered to view the pituitary gland.


Treatment depends on the size, shape and type of the tumor as well as symptoms and overall health of the patient. Treatment ranges from surgery, radiation therapy and drg therapy.






References:

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/pituitary-macroadenoma/pituitary-macroadenoma-p3.html

www.pathology.vcu.edu/.../images/1-2.jpg

Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that is found in the IAC from the vestibulo-cochlear nerve. Since this nerve is responsible for balance and hearing symptoms include hearing loss, ringing in the ears, vertigo, difficulty balancing, pressure in the ear and with larger tumors numbness in the face. Diagnosing AN is done by a hearing test called and auditory brainstem response which records responses from the brain stem. Imaging technology has made it easier to diagnose ANs. Both CT and MRI can be used but MRI is preferred with the use of gadolinium. Options for treatment range from observation to radiation therapy. They also consider microsurgical removal. Because they are normally benigne microsergery is usually the last resort to releave pressure and to improve hearing. If the tumor gets to big then symptoms may increase and worsen. ANs are mostly diagnosed in women around 30 to 60 in age and 2.5% of the population is speculated to have small non-symptomous tumors.

References:

http://www.med.umn.edu/otol/library/aneuroma/index.htm

http://www.neurosurg.co.uk/images/41.jpg