Search results

Guide to Aortic Valve Disease

… What is the Aortic Valve? The aortic valve is one of the valves of the heart. It is normally tricuspid … the aortic valve, trauma (damage to the aorta near the site of aortic valve), and enlargement of the aorta because …

Last Modified: 03/17/2025 - 15:33

Appendicitis & Appendectomy

… Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a pouch-like organ in … lower right side of the abdomen. Surgery for appendicitis is called an appendectomy . Key Info About 7% of Americans … will get appendicitis in their lifetimes. Laparoscopy is the surgical method of choice, which involves making small …

Last Modified: 09/12/2025 - 10:30

At-Home Thyroid Testing Kits: What We Know...and What We Don’t. An Interview with Dr. Hyesoo Lowe

… some questions to help clarify some pros and cons. What is your view on at-home thyroid testing kits? It depends on … laboratory parameters are part of a technology that is rapidly developing. We're currently comfortable with these … for home lab testing could really change how medical care is accessed as this information is obtained. Do you have a …

Last Modified: 02/23/2023 - 18:02

Primary Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome)

… salt increases the blood pressure. Hyperaldosteronism is a disease in which the adrenal gland(s) make too much … disease) or both (bilateral disease). Unilateral disease is usually caused by an aldosterone producing adenoma (benign … by adrenal cancer or hyperplasia (when the whole gland is hyperactive). Bilateral disease is usually caused by …

Last Modified: 09/24/2025 - 13:47

When to Consider Aortic Surgery

… being seen in a Center of Excellence early in the process is that it begins a relationship with your medical/surgical … process by which the need for non-emergency surgery is determined. The decision to monitor a patient instead of performing an operation is made on an individual basis, but is guided by factors …

Last Modified: 02/03/2026 - 11:04

When the Adrenal Gland Causes Hypertension

… podcast Conversations and Curbsides . The following is a transcription of the discussion, and is loosely edited for context and clarity. Jump to a Section: … & High Blood Pressure Too Much Aldosterone How Commonly Is the Adrenal Gland the Main Cause Of Hypertension? Signs …

Last Modified: 03/26/2026 - 14:28

Carotid Artery Disease

… a stroke or a "mini" stroke (TIA). Carotid artery disease is the cause of more than half of all strokes. Stroke, in turn, is the third highest cause of death and the leading cause of … Why carotid stenosis occurs in some people but not others is unknown. However, certain risk factors, such as family …

Last Modified: 12/16/2025 - 14:28

Colonoscopy

… of Columbia’s Colorectal Surgery Team , March 2024 What is a colonoscopy? Colonoscopy is a safe, effective method of examining the full lining of the colon and rectum. While the patient is under mild sedation or monitored anesthesia if deeper …

Last Modified: 03/04/2026 - 17:33

Golden Rules of Aortic Surgery

… has an aneurysm of the aortic root, a primary question is whether the valve can be repaired, and if so, we then ask, … " Should the valve be repaired?" This crucial decision is determined by golden rule number one. This rule holds that … be performed instead of replacement. A second golden rule is that no leaking of the valve (aortic insufficiency) is …

Last Modified: 03/17/2025 - 12:14

Weight Loss Surgery: The Benefits of a Sleeve Gastrectomy

… invasive surgery to reduce the size of the stomach—is now the most popular weight loss surgery at our Center and … both their health and quality of life. What is a sleeve gastrectomy? In a sleeve gastrectomy, a portion of the stomach is removed to make the stomach smaller – roughly the size and …

Last Modified: 02/23/2023 - 18:00

Thyroid Cancer Treatment

… | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prognosis/Outcomes What Is The Treatment For Thyroid Cancer? There are three main … Radioactive Iodine Treatment Other Treatment Options How Is Thyroid Cancer Treated With Surgery? Thyroid cancer surgery is the preferred treatment option for all forms of thyroid …

Last Modified: 09/26/2025 - 11:38

Multinodular Goiter

… can either be a simple goiter where the whole thyroid is bigger than normal or a multinodular goiter where there … (i.e. does not make too much thyroid hormone). It is not known what causes multinodular goiters in most cases, … of hyperthyroidism . See Hyperthyroidism » . If the goiter is large enough, patients may have compressive symptoms that …

Last Modified: 09/25/2025 - 15:34

Radioactive Iodine

… uses iodine from the diet to make thyroid hormone and is one of the few organs that will take up iodine. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a radioactive form of iodine that can be used to either … make saliva) take up small amounts of iodine. The RAI that is not taken up by thyroid cells is eliminated from the body, …

Last Modified: 09/26/2025 - 13:58

Pancreatic Cysts

… and distinguishing among the different types of neoplasm is often straightforward, but at times can be challenging. … Serous Cystadenoma Although this type of cystic neoplasm is usually asymptomatic, it can cause pain. They can grow to … or as having a 'honeycomb' appearance. Often it is difficult to remove the fluid from these cysts, because …

Last Modified: 05/13/2025 - 12:19

Guide to Thyroid Function Tests

… tests of thyroid function (i.e. how much thyroid hormone is being made), thyroid mass (i.e. how much thyroid tissue there is), and antibodies to thyroid tissue. Tests of thyroid … to make and release more thyroid hormone. When there is enough or too much thyroid hormone in the body, the TSH …

Last Modified: 09/26/2025 - 13:54