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Introduction – Acute Flaccid Myelitis Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare disease that affects the spinal cord, the part of the nervous system that carries messages to and from the brain. Symptoms of AFM include sudden (acute) weakness in the arm(s) or leg(s), along with loss of muscle tone …

Definition Bones naturally grow and change as your child gets older. However, throughout a long process, abnormalities can sometimes occur. An aneurysmal bone cyst (which is often abbreviated ABC) is one such abnormality. ABCs are blood-filled, fibrous cysts that expand the bone and can cause pain, swelling, and fractures. They …

Definition Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is an enlargement of the lower part of the aorta that extends through the abdominal area (at times, the upper portion of the aorta in the chest can be enlarged). The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest …

Overview – Actinomycosis Actinomycosis is a rare subacute or chronic bacterial infection that causes both suppurative and granulomatous inflammation. Characteristics include localized swelling with suppuration, abscess formation, fibrosis and sinus drainage of pus containing ‘sulfur granules’. Actinomycetes are normal colonizing organisms of the oral cavity and may also be present …

Overview Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergic reaction. You have an allergy when your body overreacts to things that don’t cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. Your body’s overreaction to the allergens is what causes symptoms. There are 2 forms of allergic …

Overview – Anaphylaxis  Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. The most common anaphylactic reactions are to foods, insect stings, medications, and latex. If you are allergic to a substance, your immune system overreacts to this allergen by releasing chemicals that cause allergy symptoms. Typically, these bothersome symptoms occur in …

Description – Acoustic Neuroma Acoustic Neuroma is also known as vestibular schwannoma. An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that develops when the specialized (Schwann) cells surrounding the vestibular division of the auditory nerve, grow at an abnormal rate in the internal auditory canal. The tumor if left untreated, can …

What is Acne vulgaris? Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, which runs a chronic course and it is self-limiting. Acne vulgaris is triggered by Propionibacterium acne in adolescence, under the influence of normal circulating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). It is a very common skin disorder which can present …