Medical Explanations

PDD-NOS

That stands for "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified" They've also used the term "regressive autism" for diagnosis. Essentially when he was diagnosed there was a 20% or more delay in all of the following areas:

• Speech
• Gross motor
• Social/Emotional
• Sensory 

Strabismus

Strabismus is a vision problem in which both eyes do not look at the same point at the same time. Strabismus most often begins in early childhood. It is sometimes called crossed-eyes, walleye, or squint.

Normally, the muscles attached to each eye work together to move both eyes in the same direction at the same time. Strabismus occurs when the eye muscles don't work properly to control eye movement. When the eye muscles don't work as they should, the eyes may become misaligned and the brain may not be able to merge what one eye sees with what the other eye sees.

Chiari I Malformation

Chiari I Malformation is one type of Chiari Malformation, a condition in which brain tissue from the back of the brain protrudes into the spinal canal.

Chiari malformations (CMs) are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. When the indented bony space at the lower rear of the skull is smaller than normal, the cerebellum and brainstem can be pushed downward. The resulting pressure on the cerebellum can block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord) and can cause a range of symptoms including dizziness, muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, headache, and problems with balance and coordination.

Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia (sear-IN-go-my-EEL-ya) is a disorder in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord.  This cyst, called a syrinx, expands and elongates over time, destroying a portion of the spinal cord from its center and expanding outward.  As a syrinx widens it compresses and injures nerve fibers that carry information from the brain to the extremities.  Damage to the spinal cord often leads to progressive weakness in the arms and legs, stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs, and chronic, severe pain.  Other symptoms may include headaches, a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold (especially in the hands), and loss of bladder and other functions.  Each individual experiences a different combination of symptoms depending on where in the spinal cord the syrinx forms and how far it extends.  Signs of the disorder tend to develop slowly, although sudden onset may occur with coughing or straining.

This is my little Logans brain

Unstable craniocervical junction

Some patients with symptomatic Chiari I Malformation and/or syringomyelia have associated craniocervical instability or ventral brainstem compression that contributes to their signs and symptoms. In some cases, bone and connective tissue abnormalities (such as Ehlers-Danlos) lead to instability of the craniocervical junction and ventral brainstem compression. In this small percentage (less than 5%) of Chiari patients, posterior fossa decompression alone may not improve symptoms and may, in fact, worsen symptoms. These patients may require occipitocervical fusion and, in some cases, removal of compressive tissue anterior to the brainstem.


Cataracts


A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eyes that effects vision. This is not typical in children, it is usually associated with aging. We don't know much on this subject yet as it just came to light. I'll go more in depth after the next eye doctor appointment.

***I am not a doctor. This information is copied from various sources that correlate with my understanding of his medical conditions.***