Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Chest Wall and Neuromuscular Disorders
Number of Conditions: 2
Kyphoscoliosis
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Restrictive Lung Diseases
Sub-category: Chest Wall and Neuromuscular Disorders
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; reduced exercise tolerance; chest discomfort; fatigue; rapid breathing; increased respiratory effort
Root Cause:
The abnormal curvature of the spine (kyphosis and scoliosis) reduces chest wall compliance, impairing lung expansion and ventilation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, chest X-ray, pulmonary function tests (showing restrictive patterns), CT or MRI imaging for detailed spine analysis, arterial blood gas analysis if respiratory failure is suspected.
Treatment:
Treatment focuses on improving lung function and spinal stability through physical therapy, bracing, non-invasive ventilation (e.g., CPAP or BiPAP), and surgical correction if necessary.
Medications:
Medications are not directly used to treat kyphoscoliosis, but bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol , a beta-agonist) or mucolytics may be used to manage associated respiratory symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 1-3% of the general population; higher prevalence in individuals with congenital or neuromuscular disorders.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Congenital spinal abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy), osteoporosis, trauma, or idiopathic causes.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies depending on severity; mild cases have a good prognosis with minimal impact on lung function, while severe cases can lead to chronic respiratory failure.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure), recurrent respiratory infections, and difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation.
Myasthenia Gravis (with respiratory involvement)
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Restrictive Lung Diseases
Sub-category: Chest Wall and Neuromuscular Disorders
Symptoms:
weakness in respiratory muscles; difficulty breathing; fatigue; dyspnea on exertion; orthopnea
Root Cause:
Autoimmune attack on acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, leading to weakness in skeletal muscles, including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Antibody testing (e.g., anti-AChR or anti-MuSK antibodies), repetitive nerve stimulation, single-fiber electromyography (EMG), pulmonary function tests (showing decreased vital capacity), and arterial blood gas analysis in severe cases.
Treatment:
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., pyridostigmine), immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, azathioprine), plasmapheresis, or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for crisis management. Mechanical ventilation is required in cases of respiratory failure.
Medications:
Pyridostigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) improves muscle strength by increasing acetylcholine availability. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) and immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil) reduce autoimmune activity.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 20 per 100,000 people globally, with a higher prevalence in females under 40 and males over 60.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, presence of other autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), thymoma or other thymic abnormalities.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with proper treatment; severe cases (myasthenic crisis) can result in respiratory failure if not promptly managed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Myasthenic crisis (acute respiratory failure), aspiration pneumonia, chronic hypoxemia, and secondary infections due to immunosuppressive therapy.