News Articles February 2022

Remission

The disappearance of symptoms; the disappearance of the tumor.

A decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of a tumor or cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms have disappeared, although still may be present in the body.

Resection

Surgical removal of a tumor or organ.

A procedure that uses surgery to remove tissue or part or all of an organ.

Residual

Remaining tumor.

Tumor cells that remain after attempts to remove the tumor have been made.

Respiration

Breathing. To inhale and exhale

The words “respiratory” and “respiration” refer to the lungs and breathing, or the movement of respiratory gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide, into and out of the lungs; or a single complete act of breathing.
The physical and chemical processes by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen necessary for metabolism and removes the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions.

RGH

Recombinant growth hormone, somatropin.

Often referred to as hGH or human Growth Hormone. Used to treat growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

RIA

Radioimmunoassay

Quantitative chemical test based on displacement of radioligand from antigen-antibody complex.

Seizure

Convulsions. Epilepsy.

Seizures are caused by temporary disruption in electrical activity of the brain.

Sella Turcica

Bony structure at the base of the skull in which the pituitary gland rests.

A depression in the middle line of the upper surface of the sphenoid bone in which the pituitary gland is lodged.

Skinfold Thickness

A non-invasive measurement made with calipers from which the percentage body fat can be estimated.

Spasticity

Increased involuntary muscle contraction (the opposite of hypotonicity).

Spasticity is a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted. This contraction causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and may interfere with movement, speech, and manner of walking. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to the portion of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. It may occur in association with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, damage to the brain because of lack of oxygen, brain trauma, severe head injury, and metabolic diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and phenylketonuria. Symptoms may include hypertonicity (increased muscle tone), clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions), exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, muscle spasms, scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs), and fixed joints. The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms. Spasticity can interfere with rehabilitation in patients with certain disorders, and often interferes with daily activities.
Treatment for spasticity may include such medications as baclofen, diazepam, tizanidine or clonazepam. Physical therapy regimens may include muscle stretching and range of motion exercises to help prevent shrinkage or shortening of muscles and to reduce the severity of symptoms. Surgery may be recommended for tendon release or to sever the nerve-muscle pathway.