Medical dictionary

What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spine that most commonly occurs in children aged 10 to 15, before puberty, however, sometimes babies can be born with the condition. Scoliosis can be mild, and may not require treatment, however, some cases can get worse with age and growth, causing spinal deformities that in some cases can be disabling. Children who develop scoliosis

What are the causes of scrotal swellings?A scrotal swelling is an enlargement of the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). Scrotal swellings can be caused by a number of things. If the swelling is painless, it may be due to the following:Hydrocele – a build-up of fluid in the tissue around the testicle. This is fairly common, occurring in around 10 per cent of newborn baby boys. Th

What is selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)? Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical procedure primarily used to reduce spasticity in individuals, commonly children, with conditions such as cerebral palsy. The procedure involves the precise identification and selective cutting of problematic sensory nerve roots in the lower spinal cord to reduce muscle stiffness and spasticity. &nbs

What is seborrheic dermatitis? Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that primarily affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, stubborn dandruff and red skin. The condition can also affect other oily areas of the body, such as sides of the nose, the face, ears, eyebrows, eyelids and chest. Seborrheic dermatitis is also referred to as seborrheic eczema and seborrheic psoriasis. The

What is secondary glaucoma?Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain has become damaged. There are different types of glaucoma, the most common being primary open-angle glaucoma. Other types include acute angle-closure, secondary glaucoma and congenital (childhood) glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma, as the name suggests, is caused by an underl

What is a second medical opinion?A second medical opinion is when you consult with a doctor that is not your regular doctor about a potential diagnosis and/or treatment plan. There is no legal right to a second opinion, however, it is rare for a doctor to refuse.Why would you get a second medical opinion?Patients may consider a second medical opinion if they are facing a new diagnosis or recommend

What is being analysed? Second trimester screening during pregnancy involves analysing maternal serum markers and ultrasound findings to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), as well as neural tube defects. What does the result mean? The result provides an estimate of the

What are seizures? Seizures, or convulsions, are a medical condition where body muscles contract and relax involuntarily, resulting in an uncontrolled and unforeseeable shaking of the body. During a fit, the voluntary muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly for a variable period of time. Seizures can arise if you have a high temperature or if you have any viral diseases. If you hav

What is selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)? Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a type of laser surgery used to reduce intraocular pressure in the eye for patients with glaucoma. It is very effective and can be used as either an initial treatment or an additional treatment alongside eye drops and medications. The effects of selective laser trabeculoplasty are not permanent, however, and