PAGET'S DISEASE

Padget's disease is the abnormal breakdown of bone tissues in which the regrowth of the bone results in a deformity. This disease is commonly seen in the spine, pelvis, legs, and arms of affected patients. The cause of Padget's disease is unknown, but is questionably linked to viral and genetic origins. Patients' can complain of joint or bone pain along with shortening in height, headaches, bowing of legs, and fracture of bones. Patients may also be asymptomatic. Diagnosis of this condition may be done through a xray, bone scan or specific blood work. In some cases, surgery is recommended to fix the broken bone, while other instances drug therapy is recommended to slow the disease process.

Hangman's Fracture

Hangman's fracture is the breakage of both pedicles of the second cervical vertebrae. Commonly referred to as a hangman's fracture due to the the times when people where hung at public gatherings, the patient's neck hyperextends at the same time the patient's body moves forward. Today, this type of fracture is commonly caused from trauma due to a fall, MVA, or sport's injury. Patients with this type of fracture to their neck usually display the symptoms of a constricted pupil in one eye. In most cases where the pedicles are fractured, the patient's spinal cord and root nerves are undamaged due to the widening of the spinal canal; whereas the absence of a fractured pedicle can cause spinal canal and nerve root damage due to the narrowing of the spinal canal. Skull traction may be done to realign the cervical spine; however, the fractured pedicles usually take a while to heal, so surgery may be preferred.

CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS

A narrowing of the carotid artery, commonly referred to as a stenosis, results from the build up of plaque within the artery. Carotid artery stenosis can be a serious condition since the carotid artery is responsible for supplying blood to the brain; nonetheless, an ischemic stroke can occur from the condition.
Carotid artery stenosis is commonly diagnosed after a doctor hears an abnormal sound, a bruit, when listening to the artery with a stethoscope. Doctors will refer the patient to get some form of imaging study done to diagnose the stenosis. An ultrasound of the carotid artery is the most common study performed, however, stenosis may be visualised on a MR angiography of the neck as well as a CT angiography of the neck. Surgery of the carotid artery, carotid endartectomy, can be performed to treat this condition depending on the degree of stenosis. Medication or a carotid angioplasty may also be used to prevent an ischemic stroke.