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Index of Diseases

Instructions. To find the proper medical term, scroll up and down to review the alphabetical listings. Also, you can use the "Page Up" and "Page down" key on your keyboard. Or use the search function of your browser. In both Netscape and Explorer, go to "Edit" and select "Find in Page". Type in the main term of interest. Frequently, it is best to type in only the first 4 or five letters (i.e., "prost" for prostate) because that will find more alternative terms from which to select the proper one.

W

Waardenburg's Syndrome

Definition: Rare, autosomal dominant disease with variable penetrance and several known clinical types. Characteristics may include depigmentation of the hair and skin, congenital deafness, heterochromia iridis, medial eyebrow hyperplasia, hypertrophy of the nasal root, and especially dystopia canthorum. The underlying cause may be defective development of the neural crest (neurocristopathy). Waardenburg's syndrome may be closely related to piebaldism. Klein-Waardenburg Syndrome refers to a disorder that also includes upper limb abnormalities.
Annotation: a syndrome of multiple abnorm; check syndrome book for other Waardenburg skull deform syndromes; do not use /congen & do not coord with INFANT, NEWBORN, DISEASES
ID#: D014849

WAGR Syndrome

Definition: A contiguous gene syndrome associated with hemizygous deletions of chromosome region 11p13. The condition is marked by the combination of Wilms' tumor (W), ANIRIDIA (A), genitourinary abnormalities (G), and MENTAL RETARDATION (R).
Annotation:
ID#: D017624

Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Definition: A plasma cell dyscrasia resembling leukemia with cells of lymphocytic, plasmacytic, or intermediate morphology, which secrete an IMMUNOGLOBULIN M monoclonal component. There is diffuse infiltration of bone marrow and also, in many cases, of the spleen, liver, or lymph nodes. The circulating macroglobulin produces symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome: weakness, fatigue, bleeding disorders, and visual disturbances. Peak incidence is in the sixth and seventh decades. (Dorland, 28th ed)
Annotation: in titles & translations use diacrit: Waldenström
ID#: D008258

Wallerian Degeneration

Definition: Degeneration of distal aspects of a nerve axon following injury to the cell body or proximal portion of the axon. The process is characterized by fragmentation of the axon and its MYELIN SHEATH.
Annotation:
ID#: D014855

Warts

Definition: Benign epidermal proliferations or tumors; some are viral in origin.
Annotation: a non-neoplastic tumor virus infect; coord IM with precoord organ/dis term (IM)
ID#: D014860

Wasting Disease, Chronic

Definition: A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (prion disease) of DEER and elk characterized by chronic weight loss leading to death. It is thought to spread by direct contact between animals or through environmental contamination with the prion protein (PRIONS).
Annotation:
ID#: D034081

Wasting Syndrome

Definition: Any disease marked especially by progressive emaciation and weakness. (Dorland, 28th ed, p490)
Annotation: do not confuse with CACHEXIA: do not make diagnoses, use words of text; HIV WASTING SYNDROME is also available
ID#: D019282

Water Intoxication

Definition: A condition resulting from the excessive retention of water with sodium depletion.
Annotation:
ID#: D014869

Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Definition: Disturbances in the body's WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
Annotation: note category
ID#: D014883

Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome

Definition: A condition characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, petechiae, ARTHRALGIA, weakness, and myalgias followed by acute hemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands and severe cardiovascular dysfunction. The syndrome is most often associated with meningococcal septicemia but may occur as a complication of sepsis caused by other organisms, including certain STREPTOCOCCUS species. This disorder may be associated with a prior history of SPLENECTOMY. (From J Emerg Med 1998 Jul-Aug;16(4):643-7)
Annotation: do not coord with NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS unless particularly discussed; if caused by other organism, coord IM with precoord organism/infection term
ID#: D014884

Wegener's Granulomatosis

Definition: A multisystem disease chiefly affecting males, characterized by necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis involving the upper and lower respiratory tracts, glomerulonephritis, and variable degrees of systemic, small vessel vasculitis, which is generally considered to represent an aberrant hypersensitivity reaction to an unknown antigen. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Annotation: necrotizing granulomas of resp tract & multisystem dis
ID#: D014890

Weil Disease

Definition: A severe form of LEPTOSPIROSIS, usually caused by LEPTOSPIRA INTERROGANS SEROVAR ICTEROHAEMORRHAGIAE and occasionally other serovars. It is transmitted to humans by the rat and is characterized by hemorrhagic and renal symptoms with accompanying JAUNDICE.
Annotation: if not caused by LEPTOSPIRA INTERROGANS SEROVAR ICTEROHAEMORRHAGIAE, coord IM with specific Leptospira interrogans serovar (IM) or LEPTOSPIRA INTERROGANS (IM)
ID#: D014895

Werner Syndrome

Definition: An autosomal recessive disorder that causes premature aging in adults, characterized by sclerodermal skin changes, cataracts, subcutaneous calcification, muscular atrophy, a tendency to diabetes mellitus, aged appearance of the face, baldness, and a high incidence of neoplastic disease.
Annotation:
ID#: D014898

Wernicke Encephalopathy

Definition: An acute neurological disorder characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and disturbances of mental activity or consciousness. Eye movement abnormalities include nystagmus, external rectus palsies, and reduced conjugate gaze. THIAMINE DEFICIENCY and chronic ALCOHOLISM are associated conditions. Pathologic features include periventricular petechial hemorrhages and neuropil breakdown in the diencephalon and brainstem. Chronic thiamine deficiency may lead to KORSAKOFF'S SYNDROME. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1139-42; Davis & Robertson, Textbook of Neuropathology, 2nd ed, pp452-3)
Annotation: DF: WERNICKE ENCEPH
ID#: D014899

West Nile Fever

Definition: A mosquito-borne viral illness caused by the WEST NILE VIRUS, a FLAVIVIRUS and endemic to regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Common clinical features include HEADACHE, FEVER, maculopapular rash, gastrointestinal symptoms, and lymphadenopathy. MENINGITIS; ENCEPHALITIS; and MYELITIS may also occur. The disease may occasionally be fatal or leave survivors with residual neurologic deficits. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch26, p13; Lancet 1998 Sep 5;352(9130):767-71)
Annotation:
ID#: D014901

Wheat Hypersensitivity

Definition: Allergic reaction to wheat that is triggered by the immune system.
Annotation: differentiate from CELIAC DISEASE
ID#: D021182

Whiplash Injuries

Definition: Hyperextension injury to the neck, often the result of being struck from behind by a fast-moving vehicle, in an automobile accident. (From Segen, The Dictionary of Modern Medicine, 1992)
Annotation:
ID#: D014911

Whipple Disease

Definition: A chronic systemic infection by a gram-positive bacterium, Tropheryma whippelii, mainly affecting the SMALL INTESTINE but also the JOINTS; CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM; and the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The disease is characterized by fat deposits in the INTESTINE MUCOSA and LYMPH NODES, malabsorption, DIARRHEA with fatty stools, MALNUTRITION, and ARTHRITIS.
Annotation:
ID#: D008061

White Muscle Disease

Definition: A myodegeneration most frequent in calves and lambs whose dams have been fed during gestation or longer on feeds, especially legumes (FABACEAE), grown in certain areas where selenium is either deficient or unavailable in the soil. It has been recorded in many countries. It has been produced experimentally in several species of animals on low-selenium intake. A similar myopathy occurs naturally in goats, deer, foals, and dogs but proof of the etiology is lacking. (Merck Veterinary Manual, 5th ed)
Annotation: a form of musc dystrophy usually in calves & lambs; manifest of selenium defic; check tag ANIMALS; coord IM with precoord animal/dis term (IM) + animal (NIM) or with animal (IM) in absence of precoord
ID#: D014912

Whooping Cough

Definition: A respiratory infection caused by BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS and characterized by paroxysmal coughing ending in a prolonged crowing intake of breath.
Annotation: caused by Bordetella pertussis
ID#: D014917

Williams Syndrome

Definition: A contiguous gene syndrome associated with a heterozygous microdeletion in the chromosomal region 7q11.23, encompassing the ELASTIN gene. Clinical manifestations include supravalvular aortic stenosis (AORTIC STENOSIS, SUPRAVALVULAR), MENTAL RETARDATION, elfin facies, impaired visuospatial constructive abilities, and transient hypercalcemia in infancy. The condition affects both sexes, with onset at birth or in early infancy.
Annotation: do not confuse with Williams-Campbell syndrome, congen bronchomalacia causing bronchiectasis
ID#: D018980

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

Definition: A rare, X-linked immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenic purpura, and recurrent pyogenic infection. It is seen exclusively in young boys. Typically, IMMUNOGLOBULIN M levels are low and IMMUNOGLOBULIN A and IMMUNOGLOBULIN E levels are elevated. Lymphoreticular malignancies are common.
Annotation:
ID#: D014923

Wissler's Syndrome

Definition: A rheumatic syndrome of possibly allergic origin, usually affecting children and adolescents, and characterized by high fever, exanthema, arthralgia, leukocytosis, and increased sedimentation rate.
Annotation: a form of rheumatic fever
ID#: D014924

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Definition: A form of pre-excitation characterized by a short PR interval and a long QRS interval with a delta wave.
Annotation: short PR interval & long QRS interval with delta wave; see PRE-EXCITATION SYNDROMES for other ECG notes
ID#: D014927

Wolfram Syndrome

Definition: An hereditary association of DIABETES INSIPIDUS; DIABETES MELLITUS; OPTIC ATROPHY; and DEAFNESS.
Annotation: X ref = Diabetes Insipidus-Diabetes Mellitus-Optic Atrophy-Deafness
ID#: D014929

Wolman Disease

Definition: The severe infantile form of inherited lysosomal lipid storage diseases, due to deficiency of acid lipase. It results in accumulation of neutral lipids, particularly cholesterol esters, within cells (particularly leukocytes, fibroblasts, and liver cells). An allelic variant of CHOLESTEROL ESTER STORAGE DISEASE, it is also known as Wolman's xanthomatosis.
Annotation: a lysosomal storage dis; do not use /congen & do not coord with INFANT, NEWBORN, DISEASES
ID#: D015223

Wound Infection

Definition: Invasion of the site of trauma by pathogenic microorganisms.
Annotation: IM; do not coord with BACTERIAL INFECTIONS unless particularly discussed but coord IM with specific bact infect (IM)
ID#: D014946

Wounds and Injuries

Definition: Damage inflicted on the body as the direct or indirect result of an external force, with or without disruption of structural continuity.
Annotation: GEN or unspecified; prefer /inj with organs (Manual 19.7+, 19.8.38) or specific organ /inj precoords; policy: Manual 23.23+; types of wounds are also available, as WOUNDS, PENETRATING, etc.; MULTIPLE TRAUMA is available; wound suction: coord wd & inj concept with DRAINAGE; DF: WOUNDS
ID#: D014947

Wounds, Gunshot

Definition: Disruption of structural continuity of the body as a result of the discharge of firearms.
Annotation: coord IM with organ /inj (IM) or precoord inj term (IM); FORENSIC BALLISTICS is also available
ID#: D014948

Wounds, Nonpenetrating

Definition: Injuries caused by impact with a blunt object where there is no penetration of the skin.
Annotation: IM; coord with organ /inj or precoord inj term (IM)
ID#: D014949

Wounds, Penetrating

Definition: Wounds caused by objects penetrating the skin.
Annotation: note WOUNDS, GUNSHOT & WOUNDS, STAB; IM; coord with organ /inj or precoord inj term (IM)
ID#: D014950

Wounds, Stab

Definition: Penetrating wounds caused by a pointed object.
Annotation: IM; coord with organ /inj or precoord inj term (IM)
ID#: D014951

Wrist Injuries

Definition: Injuries to the wrist or the wrist joint.
Annotation: consider also CARPAL BONES /inj
ID#: D014954