Diseases

Meningioma- familial

A slow-growing tumor of the meninges that is not cancerous. Symptoms are determined by the size and location of the tumor.

Meningocele

Meningocele is a type of spina bifida in which the spinal cord develops normally but the meninges protrude from a spinal opening. Symptoms vary; while some people will have few or no symptoms of spina bifida, other people may have incomplete paralysis with urinary and bowel dysfunction.

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease describes infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (also termed meningococcus). It carries a high mortality rate if untreated but is a vaccine-preventable disease. While best known as a cause of meningitis, widespread blood infection can result in sepsis, which is a more damaging and dangerous condition. Meningitis and meningococcemia are major causes of illness, death, and disability in both developed and under-developed countries.

There are approximately 2,600 cases of bacterial meningitis per year in the United States, and on average 333,000 cases in developing countries. The case fatality rate ranges between 10 and 20 percent. The incidence of endemic meningococcal disease during the last 13 years ranges from 1 to 5 per 100,000 in developed countries, and from 10 to 25 per 100,000 in developing countries. During epidemics the incidence of meningococcal disease approaches 100 per 100,000.Meningococcal vaccines have sharply reduced the incidence of the disease in developed countries.

The disease's pathogenesis is not fully understood. The pathogen colonises a large number of the general population harmlessly, but in some very small percentage of individuals it can invade the blood stream, and the entire body but notably limbs and brain, causing serious illness. Over the past few years, experts have made an intensive effort to understand specific aspects of meningococcal biology and host interactions, however the development of improved treatments and effective vaccines is expected to depend on novel efforts by workers in many different fields.

While meningococcal disease is not as contagious as the common cold (which is spread through casual contact), it can be transmitted through saliva and occasionally through close, prolonged general contact with an infected person.

Meningococcemia

Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream that commonly leads to vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels).

Meningoencephalocele

Meningoencephalocele: A very rare developmental disorder where a part of the membrane that covers the brain and or part of the brain itself protrudes through an abnormal opening in the skull. The condition may be asymptomatic or if the defect is large, severe neurological abnormalities may result.

Meningomyelocele

Meningomyelocele: A very rare developmental disorder where a part of the membrane that covers the spinal cord and part of the spinal cord itself protrudes through an abnormal opening in the bones of the spinal column. The condition may be asymptomatic or if the defect is large, severe neurological abnormalities may result.

Menkes syndrome

Menkes syndrome (MNK, Menkes disease, copper transport disease, steely hair disease, kinky hair disease, Menkes kinky hair syndrome), is a disorder that affects copper levels in the body, leading to copper deficiency. It is an x-linked recessive disorder, and is therefore considerably more common in males: females require two defective alleles to develop the disease.

The disorder was originally described by John Hans Menkes (1928–2008) et al. in 1962.

Mental retardation Buenos Aires type

Mental retardation, Buenos Aires type: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by mental retardation, physical retardation, unusual facial appearance and heart and kidney defects.

Mental retardation coloboma slimness

Mental retardation - coloboma - slimness: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by mental retardation, retinal coloboma and a slim build.

Mental retardation contractural arachnodactyly

Mental retardation - contractural arachnodactyly: A rare disorder characterized mainly by the association of mental retardation with long thin fingers which were permanently flexed.

Mental retardation epilepsy

A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by mental retardation, epilepsy and a bulbous nose. The condition has been reported in only two families.

Mental retardation epilepsy bulbous nose

Mental retardation - epilepsy - bulbous nose: A very rare syndrome characterized mainly by mental retardation, epilepsy and a bulbous nose. The condition has been reported in only two families.

Mental retardation Mietens Weber type

Mental retardation, Mietens-Weber type: A very rare genetic condition characterized by mental retardation, corneal opacity, nystagmus, elbow contractures and dwarfism.