systemic sclerosis

sclerosis

 [sklĕ-ro´sis]

an induration or hardening, especially of a part from inflammation, or in disease of the interstitial substance. The term is used chiefly for such a hardening of the nervous system due to hyperplasia of the connective tissue or for hardening of the blood vessels. Called also induration. adj., adj sclerot´ic.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis see amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

arteriolar sclerosis arteriolosclerosis.

disseminated sclerosis multiple sclerosis.

familial centrolobar sclerosis a progressive familial form of leukoencephalopathy marked by nystagmus, ataxia, tremor, parkinsonian facies, dysarthria, and mental deterioration.

focal glomerular sclerosis focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

glomerular sclerosis glomerulosclerosis.

hippocampal sclerosis loss of neurons in the region of the hippocampus, with gliosis; sometimes seen in epilepsy.

lateral sclerosis a form seated in the lateral columns of the spinal cord. It may be primary, with spastic paraplegia, rigidity of the limbs, and increase of the tendon reflexes but no sensory disturbances, or secondary to myelitis, with paraplegia and sensory disturbance.

medial calcific sclerosis (Mönckeberg's sclerosis) Mönckeberg's arteriosclerosis.

multiple sclerosis see multiple sclerosis.

systemic sclerosis systemic scleroderma.

tuberous sclerosis a congenital heredofamilial disease, transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, characterized principally by the presence of hamartomas of the brain (tubers), retina (phakomas), and viscera, mental retardation, seizures, and adenoma sebaceum, and often associated with other skin lesions.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

sys·tem·ic scle·ro·sis

1. a systemic disease characterized by formation of hyalinized and thickened collagenous fibrous tissue, with thickening of the skin and adhesion to underlying tissues (especially of the hands and face), dysphagia due to loss of peristalsis and submucosal fibrosis of the esophagus, dyspnea due to pulmonary fibrosis, myocardial fibrosis, and renal vascular changes resembling those of malignant hypertension; Raynaud phenomenon, atrophy of the soft tissues, and osteoporosis of the distal phalanges (acrosclerosis), sometimes with gangrene at the ends of the digits, are common findings. The term progressive systemic sclerosis is commonly used and is appropriate for cases with initially widespread skin involvement including the trunk. However, when skin involvement is limited to the distal extremities and face, there is often prolonged delay in appearance of visceral manifestations.
See also: CREST syndrome.

2. Synonym(s): scleroderma

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

systemic sclerosis

Scleroderma Rheumatology An idiopathic connective tissue disease with clinical and pathologic features of GVHD, characterized by subcutaneous and visceral fibrosis, anticentromere and antitopoisomerase antibodies and prominent microvascular changes with endothelial cell damage and proliferation of subendothelial connective tissue; ♀:♂ ratio, 3-8:1-after child-bearing yrs Peak Age 45 to 55. See Connective tissue disease, Graft-versus-host disease.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

systemic sclerosis

A generalized CONNECTIVE TISSUE disorder featuring FIBROSIS and degeneration of the skin and the internal organs. There is severe RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON, swelling of the fingers, pigmentation, shiny atrophy and tightening of the skin so that the face becomes mask-like and there is difficulty in opening the mouth. There is no effective treatment.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Systemic sclerosis

A rare disorder that causes thickening and scarring of multiple organ systems.

Mentioned in: Scleroderma

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.