Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

sprue, tropicalA disease of the small
intestine that causes failure to absorb
nutrients from food. It occurs mainly in
India, the Far East, and the Caribbean.
Sprue leads to malnutritionand mega-
loblastic anaemia. It may be due to an
intestinal infection. Symptoms include
appetite and weight loss, an inflamed
mouth, and fatty diarrhoea. Diagnosis is
confirmed by jejunal biopsy. Sprue resp-
onds well to antibiotic drugtreatment
and vitamin and mineral supplements.
sputumMucous material produced by
cells lining the respiratory tract. Sputum
production may be increased by respira-
tory tract infection, an allergic reaction
(see asthma), or inhalation of irritants.
squamous cell carcinomaOne of the
most common types of skin cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma is linked to
long-term exposure to sunlight. It is most
common in fair-skinned people over 60.
The tumour starts as a small, painless
lump or patch (usually on the lip, ear, or
back of the hand), which enlarges fairly
rapidly, often resembling a wart or ulcer.
Left untreated, the cancer may spread to
other parts of the body and prove fatal.
Diagnosis is based on a skin biopsy.
The tumour is removed surgically or
destroyed by radiotherapy.
squintAn abnormal deviation of 1 eye
relative to the other. Many babies have a
squint because the mechanism for align-
ing the eyes has not yet developed. A
squint that starts later in childhood is
usually due to breakdown of the align-
ment mechanism. Longsightedness is a
common factor. In some cases, the brain

suppresses the image from the deviating

eye, leading to amblyopia.

In adults, squint may be a symptom of

stroke, diabetes mellitus, multiple scler-

osis, hyperthyroidism, or a tumour. A

squint in adults causes double vision.

Treatment in children up to 6–7 years

may include covering the normal eye with

a patch to force the child to use the weak

eye. Deviation of the squinting eye may

be controlled by glasses and/or surgery.

Sudden onset of a squint in adults may

have a serious underlying cause and

must be investigated promptly.

SSRIsSee selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors.

stableA term used in medicine to des-

cribe a patient’s condition that is neither

deteriorating nor improving; a personal-

ity that is not susceptible to mental

illness; or a chemical substance that is

resistant to changes in its composition

or physical state, or is not radioactive.

stageA term used in medicine to refer

to a phase in the course of a disease,

particularly in the progression of cancer.

stainingThe process of dyeing specimens

of cells, tissues, or microorganisms in

order for them to be clearly visible or

easily identifiable under a microscope.

stammeringSee stuttering.

Stanford–Binet testA type of intelli-

gence test.

stanozololA type of anabolic steroid

drug (see steroids, anabolic).

stapedectomyAn operation on the ear

to remove the stapesand replace it with

an artificial substitute. It is used to treat

deafness due to otosclerosis.

SPRUE, TROPICAL STAPEDECTOMY

S

STAPEDECTOMY

LOCATION

Area of

stapes

to be

removed

Base of

Eardrum stapes

Prosthetic

piston

Bony

overgrowth

Hole in

bony area

Inner ear

BEFORE SURGERY AFTER SURGERY

Middle ear