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Index of Diseases

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 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 metabolism. 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's Disease

Definition: A severe form of LEPTOSPIROSIS caused by Leptospira interrogans serogroup icterohaemorrhagica and transmitted to man by the rat. Annotation: a form of leptospirosis 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

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's Disease

Definition: A disease marked by diarrhea with fatty stools, arthritis, emaciation, and loss of strength, and attended with deposits of fat in the intestinal lymphatic tissue. Rod-shaped bacteria-like forms are present, presumed to be infectious, although no organism has been consistently isolated from patient specimens. (Dorland, 27th ed; from Segen, Dictionary of Modern Medicine, 1992). Annotation: a malabsorption syndrome 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 ANIMAL; 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: IM; coord with organ /inj or precoord inj term (IM); ballistics in gunshot wds goes here & under FORENSIC MEDICINE if pertinent 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