Pathophysiology
The changes in hypertensive retinopathy result from damage and adaptive changes in the arterial and arteriolar circulation in response to the high blood pressure. Diagnosis
Fundoscopy and patients history. Differential Diagnoses
Several other diseases can result in retinopathy that can be confused with hypertensive retinopathy. These include diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy due to autoimmune disease, anemia, radiation retinopathy, and central retinal vein occlusion. Keith Wagener Barker (KWB) Grades
Grade 1
Vascular Attenuation
Grade 2
As grade 1 + Irregularly located, tight constrictions – Known as "AV nicking" or "AV nipping" – Saluss sign
Grade 3
As grade 2 + Retinal edema, cotton wool spots and flame-hemorrhages "Copper Wiring" + Bonnets Sign + Gunns Sign
Grade 4
As grade 3 + optic disc edema + macular star "Silver Wiring"There is an association between the grade of retinopathy and mortality. In a classic study in 1939 Keith and colleagues described the prognosis of people with differing severity of retinopathy. They showed 70% of those with grade 1 retinopathy were alive after 3 years whereas only 6% of those with grade 4 survived. The most widely used modern classification system bears their name. The role of retinopathy grading in risk stratification is debated, but it has been proposed that  individuals with signs of hypertensive retinopathy signs, especially retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms and cotton-wool spots, should be assessed carefully. Management
A major aim of treatment is to prevent, limit, or reverse target organ damage by lowering the persons high blood pressure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
Thyroglossal Fistula
A thyroglossal duct cyst may rupture unexpectedly, resulting in a draining sinus known as a thyroglossal fistula. Thyroglossal fistula can develop when the removal of the cyst has not been fully completed. This is usually noticed when bleeding in the neck occurs, causing swelling and fluid ejection around the original wound of removal. Thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma
Rarely (in less than 1% of cases), cancer may be present in a thyroglossal duct cyst. These tumors are generally papillary thyroid carcinomas, arising from the ectopic thyroid tissue within the cyst. Causes
Thyroglossal Duct Cysts are a birth defect. During embryonic development, the thyroid gland is being formed, beginning at the base of the tongue and moving towards the neck canal, known as the thyroglossal duct. Once the thyroid reaches its final position in the neck, the duct normally disappears. In some individuals, portions of the duct remain behind, leaving small pockets, known as cysts. During a persons life, these cyst pockets can fill with fluids and mucus, enlarging when infected, presenting the thyroglossal cyst. Embryology
The thyroglossal tract arises from the foramen cecum at the junction of the anterior two-thirds and posterior one-third of the tongue. Any part of the tract can persist, causing a sinus, fistula or cyst. Most fistulae are acquired following rupture or incision of the infected thyroglossal cyst. A thyroglossal cyst is lined by pseudostratified, ciliated columnar epithelium while a thyroglossal fistula is lined by columnar epithelium. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct cyst requires a medical professional, and is usually done by a physical examination.