86. Wegener’s Granulomatosis Definition Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is the systemic vasculitis of small and medium arteries, venules, and arterioles. Large arteries may also be affected. Incidence WG is rare; the…

88. Wilson’s Disease Definition Wilson’s disease is an autosomal recessive, inherited, rare, progressive disorder in the metabolism of copper, characterized by excessive copper deposits in the brain, liver, and other…

81. Sturge-Weber Syndrome Definition Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a congenital disorder characterized by leptomeningeal angiomas as well as cutaneous angiomas along distributions of the trigeminal nerve (usually only on one…

80. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Definition Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a hypersensitivity disorder mediated by immune-complex formation. It is a potentially fatal systemic disorder that is a severe type of erythema multiforme….

79. Sjögren Syndrome Definition Sjögren syndrome is a complex disorder in which exocrine organs are infiltrated by lymphocytes. It is characterized by sicca symptoms and is frequently associated with systemic…

74. Pyelonephritis Definition Pyelonephritis is a potentially organ-threatening, fatal inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis secondary to a bacterial infection that begins in the interstitial tissues and rapidly extends…

76. Sarcoidosis Definition Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by noncaseating granulomas as well as lymphocytic alveolitis. Incidence In the United States the overall incidence of sarcoidosis ranges…

77. Scleroderma Definition “Scleroderma” literally means “hard or thickened skin.” The disease is a multisystem disorder characterized by inflammation, tissue fibrosis, and microvascular occlusion as the result of excessive production…

70. Portal Hypertension Definition Portal hypertension is the presence within the portal circulation of a pressure gradient of 12 mm Hg or higher. This malady is associated with numerous conditions…