Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

spongy degeneration of the central nervous
system
See 
Canavan disease.
spontaneous abortion
See 
miscarriage.
sporadic
Occurring upon occasion or in a scat-
tered, isolated, or seemingly random way.
sporotrichosis
An infection caused by the fun-
gus Sporothrix schenckii, typically involving the
skin. Persons handling thorny plants, sphagnum
moss, or baled hay are at increased risk of develop-
ing sporotrichosis. The first sign is usually a small
painless bump resembling an insect bite. The bump
can be red, pink, or purple in color, and it usually
appears on the finger, hand, or arm, where the fun-
gus first entered through a break on the skin. This
is followed by one or more additional bumps that
open and may look like boils. Eventually, the bumps
turn into open hollowed-out sores (ulcerations)
that are very slow to heal. The infection can also
spread to other areas of the body. Treatment is with
antibiotics.
sports medicine
An interdisciplinary medical
specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment of injuries arising from participation
in sports or exercise.
spot, Brushfield
See 
Brushfield spot.
spots, Koplik
See 
Koplik spots.
spots in front of the eyes
See 
floaters.
sprain
An injury to a ligament that results from
overuse or trauma. The treatment of a sprain
involves applying ice packs, resting and elevating
the involved joint, and using anti-inflammatory
medications. Depending on the severity and loca-
tion of the sprain, support bracing can help. Local
cortisone injections are sometimes given for per-
sistent inflammation. Activity may be resumed grad-
ually. Ice application after activity can reduce or
prevent recurrent inflammation. In severe sprains,
orthopedic surgical repair is performed.