Glossary <<< Children's Surgical Foundation

Adenoid: common terminology for the large tonsils in the pharynx of children.
Amblyopia: reduced vision in one or both eyes. May be associated with strabismus (eye misalignment or wandering) or eye may be straight without apparent symptoms. A family history may be present and warrants screening. In some cases, this is detected on school eye screenings. Treatment may consist of glasses and patching depending on the cause of amblyopia.
Appendicitis: inflammation of the appendix, which is a wormlike intestinal pouch extending from the first part of the large intestine; it varies in length.
Arrhythmia: an abnormal heart rhythm
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD): a hole in the membrane or wall that divides the upper chambers of the heart.
Adult Strabismus: eye muscle misalignment or wandering eye in an adult. May have had onset in childhood. Patients may experience fatigue or double vision. Treatment may consist of prism glasses or surgery.
Birth Defects: abnormalities of structure, function or body metabolism that are present at birth
Brachial Plexus Injury: is caused by an injury to one or more nerves that control and supply the muscles of the shoulder and upper extremities (upper brachial plexus). It is usually seen in newborns and occurs as a result of a difficult delivery.
Brain Tumor: Brain tumors are abnormal growths of tissue found inside the skull. The word tumor is used to describe both abnormal growths that are new and those present at birth.
Branchial Cleft Abnormality: is a rare genetic disorder that appears at birth (congenital). The symptoms may include low birth weight; presence of an abnormal pit, opening, or tumor-like skin abnormality behind both ears; malformations of the head and facial area; abnormalities of the eyes; premature graying of the scalp hair during adolescence.
Cavity: holes formed in the tooth surface caused from tooth decay.
Cerebral Palsy (CP): is a group of motor problems and physical disorders that result from a brain injury or abnormal brain development that may occur during fetal growth, at the time of birth, or within the first 2 or 3 years of a child's life. Although permanent, the brain abnormality does not get worse over time. CP affects the muscles of a part or side of the body, sometimes the entire body. Uncontrolled reflex movements and muscle tightness occur with varying severity.
Chiari Malformation: is a rare malformation of the brain that is present at birth. Abnormalities at the base of the brain most frequently involve the displacement of the rearmost part of the brain (cerebellum) through the opening in the back of the skull (foramen magnum). A part of the cerebellum enters into the space at which the spinal cord enters the skull. Thus, a part of the brain typically reaches the spinal canal (upper cervical area) and interferes with the flow of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to and from the brain. It is this constraint of the flow of CSF that causes most of the damage rather than the tissue compression.
Cholesteatoma: a skin growth that occurs in an abnormal location, the middle ear behind the eardrum. It is usually due to repeated infection, which causes an ingrowth of the skin of the eardrum.
Cleft Lip and Palate: approximately one in 700 children are born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Surgical correction should be timed to individual facial growth and must involve dedicated specialists as needed to address and prevent complications relating to feeding and nutrition, infection, dentition, speech, sleep, and breathing. The skill and experience of the plastic surgeon and dental surgeon are critical to maximizing aesthetic and functional outcomes while also minimizing length of surgery (and, therefore, morbidity), hospital stay and long-term costs.
Congenital Cataract: an opacity or cloudiness of the lens inside the eye of one or both eyes. This opacity may cause a total or partial block of vision. In a very dense cataract, even bright light may not be seen. The level of vision loss depends on the degree of lens opacity. In some cases, a white or abnormal pupil is noted with the naked eye. In the less dense cataract special magnifying instruments will be needed to visualize the abnormality. In very mild cases, observation may be appropriate. If the cataract is visually significant, cataract surgery soon after diagnosis is needed to provide the best opportunity for vision.
Congenital Glaucoma: elevated pressure inside one or both eyes. Symptoms may include cloudiness or opacification of the cornea (front surface of the eye), enlargement of the cornea or eye, tearing and light sensitivity. If left untreated this leads to vision loss or even blindness. Most children who are diagnosed with this are within the first year of life. Treatment consists of medication (eye drops or oral) in the short term to reduce the pressure and then surgery. Multiple surgeries may be necessary.
Congenital Heart Defect: abnormal anatomy of the heart or its major blood vessels present at birth.
Craniofacial Clefts: may appear with numerous syndromes and are classified on the Tessier severity scale of 1-14. Neurological structure and function, breathing, feeding and dental problems, and neuro-psychological development are involved in many cases. This requires a centralized team approach to treatment. Because morbidity rates in the repair of craniofacial clefts are proven to drop consistent with shorter duration of surgery, the experience of the craniofacial surgical team can be a key to better outcomes and fewer complications.
Craniofacial Deformities: these include Hemifacial microsomia, Goldenhar syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome (Mandibulofacial dysostosis), and Nager’s Syndrome.
Echocardiogram: A diagnostic method in which pulses of high-frequency sound, called ultrasound, are transmitted into the body and the echoes returning from the heart and other structures are made into an electronic picture. These pictures are then studied for diagnostic purposes.
Epilepsy: a chronic disorder characterized by sharp spasms of brain dysfunction due to excessive neuronal discharge and usually associated with some alteration of consciousness. The visual signs of the attack may vary from complex abnormalities of behavior including convulsions to momentary spells of impaired consiousness.
Esotropia: a type of strabismus- horizontal eye muscle misalignment resulting in a crossing/turning inward of one or both eyes. A large amount of crossing will be apparent. Smaller or intermittent crossing inward may be more difficult to detect. This may be associated with amblyopia in some cases. Treatment may consist of glasses, patching or eye muscle surgery.
Exotropia: a type of stabismus- horizontal eye muscle misalignment resulting in a turning outward of one or both eyes. A large amount of crossing will be apparent. Smaller or intermittent crossing inward may be more difficult to detect. Amblyopia may be associated. Treatment may consist of glasses, patching, orthoptic eye exercises or eye muscle surgery.
Fracture: a break of a bone or cartilage
Foot deformities: a permanent structural deviation from the normal shape, size, or alignment, resulting in disfigurement of the foot. The child may have been born with the problem or may have acquired it.
Gynecomastia: is overdevelopment of the male breast. The glandular tissue of the breast swells, usually in response to an excess of the female hormone estrogen or a lack of testosterone, a male hormone. It occurs in babies, adolescent boys, and older men.
Heart/Lung Machine: a special instrument used to provide circulation to the body during open-heart surgery.
Hernia: protrusion of a part or structure throught the tissues normally containing it.
Hydrocele: is a painless collection of watery fluid around one or both testicles that causes the scrotum or groin area to swell. Although this swelling may be unsightly and uncomfortable, it is not painful and generally is not dangerous.
Hydrocephalus: is a buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain that is present at birth. The excess fluid can increase pressure in the baby's brain, possibly resulting in brain damage and loss of mental and physical abilities. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, however, may prevent most of these serious problems, allowing a child to grow and develop normally.
Hydronephrosis: is the dilation of the pelvis and branches of one or both kidneys. This may result from obstruction to the flow of urine or it may be a deformity that was present at birth without an apparent cause.
Hypertropic Pyloric Stenosis (HPS): is a condition in which a baby's pylorus swells and thickens, which hinders food entering the small intestine. The pylorus is the connection between the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
Inguinal Hernia: a protrusion of soft tissue through the abdominal wall in the groin area.
Microtia: Smallness of the auricle of the ear with a blind or absent external ear canal.
Muscular Dystrophy: typically is recognized from approximately age three to six years and has a relatively rapid, progressive disease course. It is initially characterized by muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) within the pelvic area that may be followed by involvement of the shoulder muscles. With disease progression, muscle weakness and atrophy affect the trunk and forearms and gradually progress to involve most major muscles of the body.
Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: relatively common condition of the lacrimal duct system failure to completely open during development. The tear drainage system extends from the eyelid into the nose. The blockage does not allow tears to drain appropriately into the nose. Therefore, eye accumulation of tears and mucus are seen. Tears and discharge are noted even when the child is not crying. Spontaneous improvement is seen in many cases during the first year of life. If symptoms persist at 9 to 10 months of age there is lower likelihood that the condition will improve on its own. In this case a probing surgical procedure may be necessary.
Neurofibromatosis: a disorder involving the skin and nervous system. There may or may not be a family history. Dermatologic signs consist of cafe-au-lait spots, neurofibromas(benign tumor), and freckling in the armpits or groin area. Other symptoms may be bony abnormalities (orbit, long bones), plexiform neurofibromas (tumors). Eye findings may include iris lisch nodule, optic nerve glioma or plexiform neurofibroma. Iris lisch nodules are small benign nodules on the iris (colored part of the eye), which do not interfere with vision. Optic nerve gliomas are a generally slow growing tumor of the optic nerve (located behind the eye), which may lead to vision loss in about 50% of cases. In addition, plexiform neurofibromas (tumor) of the eyelid may be present, which may also interfere with vision. It is important that all children with neurofibromatosis have regular eye exams to screen for abnormalities, which may cause vision loss.
Open Heart Surgery: Surgery performed inside the heart with the aid of a heart-lung machine.
Pacemaker: electrical device that controls the beating of the heart by a series of electrical discharges to the heart.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus: a congenital heart defect in which a small duct, or tube, between the artery leaving the left side of the heart, the aorta, and the artery leaving the right side of the heart, the pulmonary artery, which normally closes soon after birth, remains open. As a result of its failure to close, blood from the left side of the heart is also pumped into the pulmonary artery and thereby into the lungs. This defect is sometimes called simply patent, or open, ductus.
Pharmacologic Management: management of patient using nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia
Pigmented Nevi: the discoloration of the skin will appear smooth and flat. These spots are known by several names, including Mongolian spots -- bruised or bluish in color, typically appearing on buttocks; caf-au-lait spots -- light brown; and typical moles, which are also called nevi. Moles should be monitored for bleeding, color, shape or size changes, or itching.
Positional Plagiocephaly: it occurs when babies sleep exclusively on their backs and have consistent pressure on their soft, forming skulls. As a result, they develop flat spots on their heads.
Position-related skull deformities: non-suture related skull deformities are often overlooked and therefore difficult to quantify in the general population. However, the same issues of appearance, brain development, neurological involvement and growth involved with syndromic deformities may come into play with position-related deformities, although typically with much less severity. These conditions may occur due to birth difficulties or unequal post-natal pressure on the skull (as with children who lie on only one side of their heads). Early evaluation is important, both to treat the condition and to prevent its progression. Often a home helmet or headband therapy - under the direction of pediatric craniofacial surgeons - is prescribed to correct most position-related skull deformities. In this type of therapy, the child wears a series of customized external orthosis for a prescribed period to encourage proper skull growth.
Ptosis: Drooping of the eyelid
Retinoblastoma: malignant tumor inside one or both eyes. A family history may be present. Signs may consist of a white pupillary reflection (leukocoria) or cat's eye "glow" from the pupil. The tumor may be in the center of the eye causing reduced vision. The tumor has the potential for metastasis (spread outside the eye to other parts of the body) and cause death. Treatment is directed toward saving vision as well as life. The optimal treatment for each child depends on the extent of tumor. Options consist of chemotherapy, laser treatment, freezing treatment, radiation, and removal of the eye.
Scoliosis: a spine that curves from side to side that looks more like an “S” or “C”.
Sealant: a dental material used to form an airtight closure over nonfused, pits and breaks on the surface of teeth.
Sinusitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane of any sinus.
Spina Bifida: Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around the spinal cord. This can occur anywhere along the spine. Spina bifida is the most common of a group of birth defects called neural tube defects.
Sports Injuries: the damage or wound of trauma as caused by playing sports
Strabismus: eye muscle misalignment or wandering eye- this is a general term which describes all types of misalignment (horizontal, vertical and torsional). The misalignment may be constant or intermittent. It may be very obvious if constant and a large degree of misalignment. More subtle or intermittent cases may be more difficult to detect. Depending on the cause, treatment may consist of glasses, patching and/or eye muscle surgery.
Tethered Spinal Cord: is a disorder characterized by progressive neurological deterioration that results from compression of the lowermost bundle of nerves of the spinal cord (cauda equina). It is most commonly associated with a defective closing of the neural tube (precursor of the spinal column) during embryonic development (Spina Bifida).
Tetralogy of Fallot: a complex congenital heart malformation consisting of: an opening in the wall between the lower heart cambers, a narrowing of the pulmonary valve and the muscular area just beneath it, thickening of the right ventricle, and abnormal position of the great artery (aorta). These children are cyanotic.
Thyroglossal Duct Cysts: after the formation of the thyroid gland during embryonic development a mass in the neck can develop from remaining cells and tissues.
Undescended Testes: failure of one or both of the testes to lower.
Urinary Reflux: there are several types of urinary reflux. However, they all include the backward flow of urine from one part of the body to another.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI): is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. These structures make up the urinary tract.
Vascular Lesions: a vascular lesion is a skin blemish due to abnormal blood vessels located directly under the surface of the skin, thereby giving the skin a red color. Types of vascular lesions include port-wine stains, hemangiomas, cherry angiomas, and spider veins.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): an abnormal hole in the membrane or wall that divides the lower chamber of the heart.
Wetting: accidental urination during sleep.
X-ray: used to take pictures of the teeth, bones, and surrounding soft tissues. X-ray pictures can show tooth decay, hidden dental structures, and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination.