| regional enteritis | A subacute chronic enteritis, of unknown cause, involving the terminal ileum and less frequently other parts of the gastrointestinal tract; characterised by patchy deep ulcers that may cause fistulas, and narrowing and thickening of the bowel by fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, with noncaseating tuberculoid granulomas that also may be found in regional lymph nodes; symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, cramping abdominal pain, and weight loss. Synonym: chronic cicatrizing enteritis, Crohn's disease, distal ileitis, regional ileitis, terminal ileitis, granulomatous enteritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| regional enterocolitis | The changes of regional enteritis involving both the colon and the small intestine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| regional health planning | Planning for health resources at a community or regional level. (12 Dec 1998) |
| regional hypothermia | Reduction of the temperature of an extremity or organ by external cold or perfusion with cold blood or solutions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| regional involvement | <oncology> The spread of cancer from its original site to nearby surrounding areas. Regional cancers are confined to one location of the body. Regional involvement in breast cancer could include spread to the lymph nodes or to the chest wall. (12 Mar 1998) |
| regional medical programs | Coordination of activities and programs among health care institutions within defined geographic areas for the purpose of improving delivery and quality of medical care to the patients. These programs are mandated under u.s. Public law 89-239. (12 Dec 1998) |
| perfusion, regional | Neoplasm drug therapy involving an extracorporeal circuit with temporary exclusion of the tumour-bearing area from the general circulation during which high concentrations of the drug are perfused to the isolated part. (12 Dec 1998) |
| intravenous regional anaesthesia | Regional anaesthesia by intravenous injection of local anaesthetic solution distal to an occlusive tourniquet in an extremity previously exsanguinated by pressure or gravity. Synonym: Bier's method. (05 Mar 2000) |
| enteritis, regional | Crohn's disease by another name, a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine primarily in the small and large intestines but which can occur anywhere in the digestive system between the mouth and the anus. Named after Burrill Crohn who described the disease in 1932. The disease usually affects persons in their teens or early twenties. It tends to be a chronic, recurrent condition with periods of remission and exacerbation. In the early stages, Crohn's disease causes small scattered shallow crater-like areas (erosions) called apthous ulcers in the inner surface of the bowel. With time, deeper and larger ulcers develop, causing scarring and stiffness of the bowel and the bowel becomes increasingly narrowed, leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent organs. When only the large intestine (colon) is involved, the condition is called Crohn's colitis. When only the small intestine is involved, the condition is called Crohn's enteritis. When only the end of the small intestine (the terminal ileum) is involved, it is termed terminal ileitis. When both the small intestine and the large intestine are involved, the condition is called Crohn's enterocolitis (or ileocolitis). Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss can be symptoms. Crohn's disease can be associated with reddish tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the joints, spine, eyes, and liver. Diagnosis is by barium enema, barium X-ray of the small bowel, and colonoscopy. Treatment includes medications for inflammation, immune suppression, antibiotics, or surgery. (The disease is also called granulomatous enteritis). (12 Dec 1998) |