Somatostatin ( growth-hormone-release inhibiting factor )

• A hormone, produced by the hypothalamus and some extraneural tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas ( search islets of Langerhans ), that inhibits growth hormone ( somatotrophin ) released by the pituitary gland.
• Both growth-hormone releasing hormone and somatostatin are controlled by complex neural mechanisms related to sleep rhythms, stress, neurotransmitters, blood glucose and exercise.
• Its inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal secretions is used to reduce flow from fistula from the pancreas or bowel to the body surface.
• Its effect on reducing abdominal blood flow is used to reduce bleeding from oesophageal varices.
• Somatostatin analogues are used to treat acromegaly, caused by over production of growth hormone, and to relieve the symptoms caused by hormone-secreting neuroendocrine tumours.
• They include lanreotide ( Somatuline ) and octreotide ( Sandostatin ).

Lymphangioma

cystic hygroma

• A localized collection of distended lymphatic vessels, which may result in a large cyst in the neck or arm pit ( cystic hygroma ).
• This can be removed surgically.

Buphthalmos ( Hydrophthalmos )

• Infantile or congenital glaucoma : increased pressure within the eye due to a defect in the development of the tissue through which fluid drains from the eye.
• Since the outer coat (sclera) of the eyeball of children is distensible, the eye enlarges as the inflow of fluid continues.
• It usually affects both eyes and may accompany congenital abnormalities in other parts of the body.
• Treatment is by surgical operation, eg goniotomy, to improve drainage of fluid from the eye.
• Spontaneous arrest of buphthalmos may occur before vision is completely lost.

Inverse proportion

• Also called as inverse ratio.
• A relation between two quantities such that one increases in proportion as the other decreases.