Many children around the world seem healthy, but some may not always be so lucky. Many children have been diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, also known as a nonfunctioning pituitary macro adenoma. Some children in families may have a brain tumor, and in rare cases that child may have craniopharyngioma. Craniopharyngioma is said to be hereditary and comes from embryonic remnants, however no predisposed factors have been identified; therefore people must educate themselves on symptoms, treatments, and statistics.
If one were to ask an individual what a nonfunctioning pituitary macro adenoma is, there is a high likely chance that this person would not have a clue. That is because this brain tumor is very rare (“Childhood Craniopharyngioma Treatment – Background information About Childhood Craniopharyngioma,” 2010, p.1). Craniopharyngiomas are benign neoplasm’s that form in the pituitary gland of the brain (Ohmori, Collins, Fukushima, 2006, p.1). According to “What is the Pituitary Gland?” the article explains, “The pituitary gland is a very small gland that is found at the base of the skull between the optic nerves” (2001, para.1). For a patient encountering craniopharyngioma, there is a great importance for them to understand where and what this tumor is so they know correct treatments to receive and what exactly is wrong.
Craniopharyngioma is normally a pediatric tumor, one that only develops in children, but there have been cases of adults whom encounter this cancer (Chatterjee et al., 2010, p.1). This tumor is extremely rare though; researchers who operate with WebMD say, “Craniopharyngiomas are relatively rare pediatric tumors, accounting for about 6% of all intracranial tumors in children” (“Childhood Craniopharyngioma Treatm...
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Gonc, E., Yordam, N., Ozon, A., Alikasifoglu, A., & Kandemir, N. (2004). Endocrinological Outcome of Different Treatment Options in Children with Craniopharyngioma: A Retrospective Analysis of 66 Cases. Pediatric Neurosurgery, 40(3), 112-119. doi:10.1159/000079852.
Greenman, Y., & Stern, N. (2009). How should a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma be monitored after debulking surgery?. Clinical Endocrinology, 70(6), 829-832. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03542.x.
Ohmori, K., Collins, J., & Fukushima, T. (2007). Craniopharyngiomas in Children. Pediatric Neurosurgery, 43(4), 265-278. doi:10.1159/000103306.
Rathke's pouch. (2009). Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8. Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Rathke's+pouch.
What is the pituitary gland?. (2001). Retrieved from http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/minc/skullbase/pituitary/index.html.
The Pituitary gland has many functions and regulations that are continuously functioning.However when there is a disruption in those functions there is an imbalance. Prolactinoma is an imbalance caused by a non cancerous tumor. The tumor causes the secretion of prolactin.Prolactin in a type of hormone in which normally stimulates lactation. In turn the body reacts to this hormone prolactin in more than one way.
Tumors or Lesions to the Hypothalamus Patient The Hypothalamus is a small area near the base of the brain just ventral to the thalamus. It has widespread connections with the rest of the forebrain and the midbrain. Partly through nerves and partly through hypothalamic hormones, the hypothalamus conveys messages to the pituitary gland, altering its release of hormones (Kalat, 2003). Any type of damage to a hypothalamic nucleus, such as tumors or lesions, may lead to abnormalities in one or more motivated behaviors, such as feeding, drinking, temperature regulation, sexual behavior, fighting, or activity level.
ACHONDROPLASIA is known as being undersized, or less than 50in. in height. Having short limbs, a normal sized trunk, large head with a depressed nasal bridge and small face. This is a result of a disease in the thyroid gland. It can also be caused by Down syndrome or absorption, a cartilaginous tissue during the fetal stage. Hypochondroplasia, a mild form of dwarfism. Spinal tuberculosis and the deficiency of the pituitary gland secretions. Treatment with thyroxin or thyroid extract early in childhood results in normal growth and development. Somatrophin, also known as the human growth hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary. Respiratory problems start to occur in infants. Symptoms of problems include snoring and sleeping with neck in a hyperextended condition. The limbs have rhizometic shortening. The legs are straight in infantry but when a child. He begins walking they develop a knock-knee position. When the child continues to walk legs begin to have a bowed-leg look. Occasionally, these curvatures are fixed. As the child continues to walk the kyphosis disappears and the back assumes a lordotic posture. If a delay in child’s walking occurs, the spine should be monitored closely for signs of gibbous formation. In infancy, hypercephalus can occur. Infants head circumference should be monitored close . Monthly checks of head circumference must be monitored. Radiologic studies are indicated if head circumference raises to disproportionately, or if symptoms of hydrocephalus. Child’s pediatrician should have a copy of head circumference curves for children with achondroplasia. Radiologic procedures for dwarfism include head ultrasound, C-T scan, or MRI of the head. If intervention is necessary, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is placed relieving the pressure. Infants should also be monitored for foramen magnum compression. It is the opening at the base of the skull in which the brain stem and cervical spinal cord exit. When you have achondroplasia the foramen magnum is compressing the brain stem and spinal cord. Symptoms of narrowing include apnea the cessation of breathing and cervical myleopathy. C-T scans and MRI scans are done to examine the size of the infectious foramen magnum. A neurosurgical procedure called a foramen magnum decompression is executed to alarge foramen and alleviate further symptoms. Adolescents are at risk of getting lumbosacral spinal stenosis. The lumber spinal cord or nerve roots become compressed producing nerosurgical symptoms. Initial symptoms including weakness, tingling, and pain of the legs. Pain usually alleviated by assuming a squatting position.
Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common form of short-limb dwarfism occuring in 1 in 15,000 to 28,000 births and appears to be slightly more prevalent in females, but indiscriminent toward race (1-3). Evidence has been found in Egypt for cases of ACH dating back as far as 4500 B.C. (4). In simplest terms, ACH is a disease where the dwarfing of bones formed in the cartilage occurs (5). There are many features that accompany this disease including rhizomelic (proximal) shortening of the extremities, megalencephaly (enlarged brain), short stature, trident hand, and frontal bossing (prominent forehead) (1, 3, 4, 6-8). Expression of this gene at high levels is primarily found in cells of the nervous system and the cartilage rudiments and chondrocytes in the growth plates of developing bone (7, 9). Due to the fact that there are numerous types of skeletal dysplasia, some which appear similar to ACH at times, the only way for complete confirmation is to perform molecular techniques such as genetic testing (1, 4, 8).
While it is rare to have a diagnosis in children younger than 12 years of age, it does happen. Average age of onse...
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer that starts in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of parietal and visceral membranes, thin layers of tissue, which surround organs and body cavities, such as the lungs or abdomen. The visceral membrane immediately surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac covering the visceral membrane. The visceral and parietal membranes that make up the mesothelium. This fluid helps organs move easily among surrounding structures. In the case of the lung, it helps reduce friction between the lung and chest wall during normal breathing as the lung expands. The most common place for mesothelioma to develop is in the mesothelial membrane, also called the pleural lining, surrounding the lungs.
Generally, steroid therapy, a non-surgical treatment, is only used to treat hemangiomas because their location may cause complications that must be treated immediately. For instance, hemangiomas appears in areas such as the head, neck, cheek, eyes, and nose; these are all locations which may cause blindness, airway blockage, or cardiac failure. According to the Vascular Birthmark Foundation, “Hemangiomas can grow for up to 18 months and then begin a long slow regression...
Surgical evacuation via craniotomy is often considered in patients with an acute SDH thicker than 5 mm (as measured with axial computed tomography [CT]) and who have any neurologic signs, such as lethargy or other change in mental status, or a focal neurologic deficit. This patient has none of these findings, with a normal Glasgow score. Given the CT scan results showing stability, close observation is probably the most
There is a very limited number in how this disease can be treated. I can be examined under anesthesia, specialized blood tests, CAT scans, and ultrasound (Finger, Pg. 1). Normally, a child would be examined if there were a past history of retinoblastoma from the parents. There would be a slim chance if a child shows up with the disease if the parents had ever had it. Normally, parents are the ones to notice the "white pupil" first (Ambramson, Ch6). The optometrist would recommend an ophthalmologist, who uses anesthesia to analyze the eye. He/she will then dilate the eyes to view the retina in search of tumors or abnormalities and where they are located. Sketches are then drawn or photographs using specialized equipment would be taken. Ultrasound would be used afterwards to determine the thickness and height if a tumor was found. Finally, a CAT scan is used to determine if the tumor is inside the eye or outside of their brain (Ambramson, Ch6). Once this is completed, the process of treatment would begin.
Cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, is a relatively mild form of bipolar II disorder characterized by mood swings that may appear to be almost within the normal range of emotions. These mood swings range from mild depression, or dysthymia, to mania of low intensity, or hypomania. It is possible for cyclothymia to go undiagnosed, and for individuals with the disorder to be unaware that they have a treatable disease. Individuals with cyclothymia may experience episodes of low-level depression, known as dysthymia; periods of intense energy, creativity, and/or irritability, known as hypomania; or they may alternate between both mood states. Like other bipolar disorders, cyclothymia is a chronic illness characterized by mood swings that can occur as often as every day and last for several days, weeks, months, or as long as two years. Individuals with this disorder are never free of symptoms of either hypomania or mild depression for more than two months at a time (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders).
Hydrocephalus is fluid in the brain. The greek words “hydro” and “cephalus” mean water and head/brain. Hydrocephalus is a combination. That means it is from both hereditary and environmental factors. The fluid in the brain is called Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF and it surrounds the brain and the spinal cord(ninds.nih.gov). The CSF fluid causes an abnormal widening in the throughout the spaces in the brain called ventricles (ninds.nih.gov). This fluid that causes widening creates pressure on the brain tissue called Hydrocephalus. 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 babies are born with Hydrocephalus (ninds.nih.gov).
Steen, Grant R. and Joseph Mirro. Childhood Cancer: A Handbook From St.Jude Children's Research Hospital . Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publisher, 2000.
...urgery, and radiation therapy. Due to the fact that acoustic neuromas grow slowly, immediate treatment may not be necessary so Doctors will monitor the tumor with periodic MRIs and suggest other treatment if the tumor enlarges. Surgery may involve all or part of the tumor. There are three main surgical approaches translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid/sub-occipital, and Middle fossa. There is also a new technique called endoscopic resection which enables surgeons to remove acoustic neuromas using a small camera inserted through a hole in the skull. There are two types of radiation therapy: the first is Single fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and Multi-session fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FRS), Selecting the right treatment depends on the size of the tumor, whether the tumor is growing. age. other medical conditions you may have and severity of symptoms.
( ). Around three thousand new cases of childhood ALL are reported yearly in the United States (Kanwar, 2013). Out of those diagnosed, white children seemed more often affected than children of other races and males were slightly more affected than females (Kanwar, 2013). The frequency of childhood ALL cases crest at ages 2 to 5 and then decreases as they grow older (Kanwar, 2013). Unfortunately, there are no identifiable causes associated with this cancer.
How does one see the symptoms for childhood cancer? First one must know that there are many different types. There are forty different types of children’s cancer, including: Leukemia, Lymphoma, Sarcomas, cancers of the nervous system, liver cancers, kidney cancer, and more. Out of these cancers, the two most common childhood cancers are Leukemia, and brain tumors. What is leukemia? It is a cancer in which the bone marrow and other organs that produce blood produce and increased amount of immature or abnormal white blood cells. The symptoms of leukemia are paleness, excessive bruising, pain in the joints, and fatigue. Brain tumors are formed when a massive amount of cells are produced on the brain. The symptoms for this are frequent headaches, vomiting, seizures, decreased coordination, weakness, and problems concerning vision.