Epidemiology Loss of smell is increasingly being recognized by the fifth decade of life, and an inability to smell or a diminished sense of smell is present in 3 to 20% of the population. Nevertheless, these disorders are often neglected…
Patients with nose, sinus, and ear disorders may have a variety of chief complaints. Nasal symptoms, including rhinorrhea and congestion, may be due to allergic, infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, or structural causes. Sinus disorders generally result in concomitant nasal inflammation, so…
More than 200 primary lesions or diseases occur in the oral mucosa, gingiva, teeth, jaws, and minor or major salivary glands. In addition, secondary abnormalities of the oral mucosa or salivary glands can be caused by systemic diseases or drugs.…
A mechanistic understanding of vision impairment along with disturbances in pupillary and oculomotor control is often critical for diagnosing neurologic disorders. Although all physicians should be able to recognize neuro-ophthalmologic abnormalities, precise diagnosis and treatment commonly requires specialty consultation. Vision…
The eye is a compact, complicated structure ( Fig. 391-1 ) that is remarkably stable throughout life. Once the growth of the eye is complete, at approximately age 7 to 8 years, the structure of the eye changes very little…
Definition The clinical recognition of neuromuscular transmission disorders ( Table 390-1 ) is critically important because all are treatable. Afflicted patients have the potential to improve substantially or even return to normal function, whereas undiagnosed or untreated disease leads to…
Definition Muscle diseases, which are also called myopathies, are disorders of skeletal muscle structure or function. Myopathies can be primary and occur in isolation, or they can be part of a multisystem disorder. Epidemiology Many muscle diseases ( Table 389-1…
Approach to Peripheral Neuropathy The term peripheral neuropathy is used to describe a group of disorders that are caused by injury to the peripheral nervous system, which encompasses the final pathways of motor, sensory, and autonomic function. Epidemiology As a…
Definition The motor neuron diseases ( Table 387-1 ) are a heterogeneous group of disorders in which selective loss of function of upper motor neurons, lower motor neurons, or both results in impairment of the nervous system’s control of voluntary…
Systemic Autonomic Disorders Definition Autonomic dysfunction, which is an important cause of disability, accompanies many diseases that affect the central or peripheral nervous system. It may manifest as autonomic failure or autonomic hyperactivity, may be generalized or focal, and may…