What Are Arteriovenous Malformations? Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects of the circulatory system that are generally believed to arise during embryonic or fetal development or soon after birth. They are comprised of snarled tangles of arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body’s cells; veins return oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs and heart. The...
What Conditions Do You Need a Bone Marrow Transplant for?
What is a bone marrow transplant? Doctors use special tools to extract bone marrow for bone marrow transplantation. Bone marrow consists of the cells that populate the internal space of your bones. The marrow manufactures three types of blood cells – red blood cells that transport oxygen, platelets that help your blood clot, and white blood cells that fight off...
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) FAQs: Get the Facts
Do vaccines cause autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)? Share Your Story Many studies that have looked at whether there is a relationship between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). To date, the studies continue to show that vaccines are not associated with ASDs. However, CDC knows that some parents and others still have concerns. To address these concerns, CDC is part...
Cholescintigraphy Procedure (HIDA Scan) to Diagnose Gallstones
What is cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)? Share Your Story Cholescintigraphy is a test done by nuclear medicine physicians to diagnose obstruction of the bile ducts (for example, by a gallstone or a tumor), disease of the gallbladder, and bile leaks. It sometimes is referred to as a HIDA scan or a gallbladder scan. How is cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan) done? For cholescintigraphy,...
Coma: Glasgow Coma Scale, Causes, and Diagnosis
What is a coma? Share Your Story Coma occurs when the brain does not have enough nutrients. Coma is a state of decreased consciousness whereby a patient cannot react with the surrounding environment. Outside physical or auditory stimulation does not waken the person. Patients may have different levels of decreased consciousness and responsiveness depending upon how much or how little...
8 Colon Polyps Symptoms, Pictures, Types, Causes, Treatment
Colon polyp facts Colon polyps can turn into colon cancer. Colon polyps are growths on the inner lining of the colon (large intestine) and are very common. Colon polyps are important because they may be, or may become malignant (cancerous). They also are important because based on their size, number, and microscopic anatomy (histology); they can predict which patients are...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms, Treatment, OCD Definition
Facts you should know about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Readers Comments 38 Share Your Story Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of a number of obsessive compulsive and related disorders that has irresistible ideas or images (obsessions) and/or specific rituals/behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that may be driven by obsessions as characteristics of the illness. OCD occurs in a small percentage of...
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Treatment, Tests, Symptoms & Surgery
What is de Quervain's tenosynovitis? Pain at the side of the wrist beneath the base of the thumb is a symptom of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of tendons on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb. These tendons include the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons, which extend the...
Coronary Angiogram Diagnosing Heart Disease
What is a coronary angiogram? An angiogram is an X-ray image of blood vessels after they are filled with a contrast material. An angiogram of the heart, a coronary angiogram, is the “gold standard” for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). A coronary angiogram can be used to identify the exact location and severity of CAD. How is a...
Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Vaccine
What should I know about acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)? Picture of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) *Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) facts written by Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD What is the medical definition of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare condition of the nervous system that causes the muscles and reflexes of the body to weaken. Viruses, toxins, and...