scoliosis, congenital Lateral (sideways) curving of the spine that is present at birth or is due to a condition that is present at birth. The condition may, for example, be a neuromuscular abnormality or be due to a malformation of the vertebral column.
scoliosis, acquired Lateral (sideways) curving of the spine that is neither present at birth nor results from a condition that is present at birth.
scoliosis Lateral (sideways) curving of the spine. The degree of scoliosis may range from mild to severe. Of every 1,000 children, 3 to 5 develop spinal curvature that is considered severe enough to need treatment. Adolescent idiopathic (of unknown cause) scoliosis is the most common type and appears after the age of 10, commonly in…
sclerotherapy The injection of a chemical irritant into a vein to sclerose (“harden”) it. The chemical irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and the blood to clot. The vein turns into scar tissue that fades from view. Blood flow shifts to nearby healthy blood vessels. Sclerotherapy may be done to treat…
sclerosis Localized hardening of skin. Sclerosis is generally caused by underlying diseases, such as diabetes and scleroderma. Treatment is directed toward the cause.
sclerosing cholangitis See primary sclerosing cholangitis.
scleroderma A disease of connective tissue that causes scar tissue (fibrosis) to form in the skin and sometimes also in other organs of the body. Scleroderma is classified into diffuse and limited forms. Diffuse scleroderma affects many internal and external areas of the body, including the skin of the entire body, the bowels, and the…
sclerodactyly Localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes. Sclerodactyly is commonly associated with atrophy of the underlying soft tissues. Sclerodactyly is a characteristic feature of scleroderma.
scleritis Inflammation of the sclera. Scleritis causes local pain and can cause vision loss. Scleritis can occur with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, and lupus. Treatment may include use of anti-inflammatory and cortisone medications taken by mouth, intravenously, or injected into the eye.
sclerencephaly Scarring and shrinkage of the substance of the brain. Sclerencephaly occurs because of chronic inflammation of the brain matter.
sclera The tough white outer coat that covers the surface of the eyeball. The sclera covers the back five-sixths of the eyeball. The sclera is continuous in the front of the eye with the cornea and in the back of the eye with the external sheath of the optic nerve. The plural is sclerae. See…
scintimammography A scintigraphic imaging technique sometimes used as a supplemental test in the detection of breast cancer. Scintimammography can sometimes work better than standard mammography in situations where there is considerable uncertainty, as in women who have especially dense breast tissue. See also scintigraphy.