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If you look at someone’s back, you’ll see that the spine runs straight down the middle. When a person has scoliosis, their backbone curves to the side. The angle of the curve may be small, large or somewhere in between. But anything that measures more than 10 degrees is considered scoliosis. Doctors may use the letters “C” and “S” to describe the curve of the backbone. You probably don’t look directly at too many spines, but what you might notice about someone with scoliosis is the way they stand. They may lean a little or have shoulders or hips that look uneven. What Causes Scoliosis? In as many as 80% of cases, doctors don’t find the exact reason for a curved spine. Scoliosis without a known cause is what doctors call “idiopathic.” Some kinds of scoliosis do have clear causes. Doctors divide those curves into two types -- structural and nonstructural. In nonstructural scoliosis, the spine works normally, but looks curved. Why does this happen? There are a number of reasons, such as one leg’s being longer than the other, muscle spasms, and inflammations like appendicitis. When these problems are treated, this type of scoliosis often goes away. In structural scoliosis, the curve of the spine is rigid and can’t be reversed
MRCPCH Clinical Revision - more videos at http://mrcpch.paediatrics.co.uk
Revise for your MRCPCH Clinical exam, with videos and high quality content created by the London Paediatrics Trainees Committee.
Video Credits: Dr Caroline Fertleman, Dr Hermione Race, Dr Camilla Sen, Dr Chloe Macaulay, Dr Emma McLaren, Chris Knapp
The Combitube is a twin lumen device designed for use in emergency situations and difficult airways. It can be inserted without the need for visualization into the oropharynx, and usually enters the esophagus. It has a low volume inflatable distal cuff and a much larger proximal cuff designed to occlude the oro- and nasopharynx.
If the tube has entered the trachea, ventilation is achieved through the distal lumen as with a standard ETT. More commonly the device enters the esophagus and ventilation is achieved through multiple proximal apertures situated above the distal cuff. In the latter case the proximal and distal cuffs have to be inflated to prevent air from escaping through the esophagus or back out of the oro- and nasopharynx.
Watch Spinal Stenosis Videos Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal cord in the neck (cervical spine) or the spinal nerve roots in the lower back (lumbar spine) are compressed. Symptoms of lumbar stenosis often include leg pain (sciatica) and leg tingling, weakness, or numbness. Arm pain is a typical symptom of cervical spinal stenosis. For cervical spinal stenosis with myelopathy, difficulty with coordination often occurs. Stenosis treatment may include non-surgical options (exercise, anti-inflammatory medication, epidural injections, and activity modification) or back surgery.
The epididymis is a long coiled tube that lies above and behind each testicle. The epididymis collects and transports sperm from the testis to the vas deferens (tubes that transport sperm to the urethra). An epididymal cyst is a cyst-like mass in the epididymis that contains clear fluid. Typically, epididymal cysts and spermatoceles do not cause symptoms. When discovered, the epididymal cyst is usually about the size of a pea and feels separate from the top of the testis. Spermatoceles typically arise from the head of the epididymis, and are felt on the top portion of the testicle. Epididymal cysts and spermatoceles are often incidental findings on testicular self-examination or routine physical examination. It is important that any mass noted in the scrotum be examined by a urologist in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis, especially a mass on the testicle itself. Our team in the Division of Urology will typically be able to confirm the diagnosis on physical exam. However, a scrotal ultrasound may also be used in order to rule out other conditions.
Vesicoureteral (ves-ih-koe-yoo-REE-tur-ul) reflux is the abnormal flow of urine from your bladder back up the tubes (ureters) that connect your kidneys to your bladder. Normally, urine flows only down from your kidneys to your bladder. Vesicoureteral reflux is usually diagnosed in infants and children. The disorder increases the risk of urinary tract infections, which, if left untreated, can lead to kidney damage. Vesicoureteral reflux can be primary or secondary. Children with primary vesicoureteral reflux are born with a defect in the valve that normally prevents urine from flowing backward from the bladder into the ureters. Secondary vesicoureteral reflux is due to a urinary tract malfunction, often caused by infection. Children may outgrow primary vesicoureteral reflux. Treatment, which includes medication or surgery, aims at preventing kidney damage.