Public condition directory
Browse public condition summaries from China medical resources by stable specialty category.
Tarlov cyst
A sacral cyst refers to a cystic lesion occurring within the sacral canal, including perineural cysts, arachnoid cysts, and meningeal cysts. Most patients are asymptomatic. However, when the cyst compresses the surrounding cauda equina nerves, it can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the sacrococcygeal region and lower extremities, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction.
View detailsPeripheral nervous system tumors
The nervous system is artificially divided into two major systems: the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord, while the nerves originating from the brain and spinal cord are called the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nervous system tumors refer to tumors that occur in all neural structures outside the brain and spinal cord, including malignant schwannoma, ganglioneuroma, pigmented malignant schwannoma, plexiform neurofibroma, and malignant Triton tumor. These tumors are common in young and middle-aged adults, while neuroblastoma is more common in children.
View detailsChordoma
Chordoma is a rare, slow-growing malignant bone tumor, affecting less than one in 100,000 people. It typically occurs in the spine or skull base. Metastasis occurs in 30% to 40% of chordoma patients, especially in advanced stages, with lung metastasis being the most common. It can occur at any age, but the vast majority of chordomas occur in adults, with a higher incidence in males than females.
View detailsAtlantoaxial dislocation
The human cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, with the atlas and axis referring to the first and second cervical vertebrae, respectively. Atlantoaxial dislocation is a pathological condition where the articular surfaces of the atlantoaxial joint lose their normal alignment due to trauma, congenital malformations, inflammation, or surgery, resulting in joint dysfunction and/or nerve compression. It is more common in adolescents, with main symptoms including neck pain and numbness and weakness in the limbs.
View detailsSpinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly disabling injury that can even be life-threatening. The most common type of SCI in clinical practice is thoracolumbar injury, accounting for more than half of all cases. Patients with thoracolumbar SCI will develop permanent sensory and motor impairments below the waist, also known as "paraplegia." Cervical spinal cord injury results in functional impairment of both upper and lower limbs, known as "quadriplegia."
View detailsSpina bifida
Spina bifida, also known as incomplete closure of the vertebral canal, is a type of neural tube defect. It is a congenital defect that occurs during embryonic development, leading to abnormal spinal column and/or spinal cord structures. According to pathological types, spina bifida can be classified into the following categories: Spina bifida occulta: The vertebral defect only affects the bone, with no localized mass in the spinal area. Sometimes, only the nerve roots of the cauda equina adhere to the meninges at this site. Spina bifida aperta: Also known as cystic spina bifida, the vertebral defect affects the bone, with incomplete closure of the spinous process and lamina, accompanied by meningocele or myelomeningocele. Meningocele: The sac contains only cerebrospinal fluid, with no spinal nerves. Myelomeningocele: The spinal cord itself is malformed, and the spinal cord and/or nerve roots protrude through the bone defect, adhering to the wall of the protruding sac. Myeloschisis: This type is rare. The spinal cord is everted, representing an open or complete spina bifida. The spinal cord protrudes and is exposed through the vertebral defect, with no meningeal protection on its surface. The affected area appears purplish-red, resembling granulation tissue.
View detailsGas gangrene
Gas gangrene is an infectious disease caused by anaerobic Clostridium, leading to deep soft tissue inflammation and necrosis, often secondary to various open wounds such as open fractures with vascular injury, crush injuries with deep muscle damage, prolonged tourniquet application, overly tight plaster casts, or severe trauma near the perianal and perineal regions. This disease primarily manifests as severe pain in the affected area, with possible exudate and foul odor, as well as systemic toxic symptoms. It has an acute onset, rapid progression, and high rates of disability and mortality. Therefore, once it occurs, early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial to avoid adverse outcomes such as disability or even death.
View detailsLangerhans cell histiocytosis
Histiocytosis X, also known as Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), is a histiocytic disorder. Proliferation of bone marrow-derived Langerhans cells (LCs) is a common histopathological feature, while clinically it is a heterogeneous group of diseases with significant differences in clinical manifestations, treatment response, and prognosis. This disease is relatively rare, predominantly affecting infants and children, with a higher incidence in males.
View detailsOsteitis condensans ilii
Osteitis condensans ilii occurs on the iliac side of the sacroiliac joint, characterized by increased bone density in the auricular part of the ilium and sacrum, meaning an increase in mineral content within the bone, leading to non-infectious inflammation. This condition predominantly affects middle-aged women, particularly during late pregnancy and postpartum, and primarily manifests as lumbosacral pain.
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