Understanding Your Diagnosis
Explore common surgical diagnoses and conditions we treat.
At Western Surgical Group, we believe informed patients make empowered decisions. This section provides clear, accessible information on the medical conditions our surgeons diagnose and treat every day. From digestive disorders to complex cancers, each diagnosis is paired with recommended procedures, related specialties, and helpful resources, so you know what to expect and where to turn for expert care.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
A bulging or weakening in the abdominal aorta that can lead to life-threatening rupture if left untreated.
Abdominal Hernia
Occurs when internal tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, often creating a visible bulge or discomfort.
Abdominal wall defects (gastroschisis, omphalocele)
Abdominal wall defects like gastroschisis and omphalocele are congenital conditions where a baby’s organs develop outside the body and require surgical repair after birth.
Adrenal or pancreatic tumors
Adrenal and pancreatic tumors in children are rare growths that may affect hormone levels, digestion, or blood pressure — often requiring specialized surgical treatment.
Anal Abscess and Fistula
Painful infections near the anus that may form draining tunnels beneath the skin and often require surgical treatment.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix that causes severe abdominal pain and usually requires urgent surgical removal to prevent rupture and infection.
Biliary Dyskinesia
A functional gallbladder disorder where the gallbladder does not empty properly, often causing abdominal pain and digestive symptoms similar to gallstone disease.
Branchial cleft anomalies
Congenital neck masses in children that often cause swelling or drainage and typically require surgical removal for long-term resolution.
Breast Cancer
The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast, often first detected through screening or a new lump, and treated with surgery, systemic therapy, and radiation depending on type and stage.
Carotid Artery Disease
The narrowing of the neck’s main blood vessels due to plaque buildup, increasing the risk of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke and often requiring surgical evaluation or intervention.
Chest Wall Malformations
Chest wall malformations like pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum are congenital deformities of the chest that may affect breathing, activity, and self‑image, often requiring evaluation by pediatric specialists.
Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
The most severe form of peripheral artery disease, causing rest pain and non-healing wounds that threaten limb loss without urgent treatment.
Circumcision (medical or delayed)
Medical or delayed circumcision is performed to treat foreskin conditions or anatomical concerns in children and is typically a short, safe outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time.
Colon Cancer
A disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the colon, often starting as polyps, and is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and other therapies depending on stage and spread.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
A birth defect where abdominal organs enter the chest cavity through a hole in the diaphragm, often requiring neonatal stabilization and surgical repair.
Congenital lung malformations
Rare developmental conditions that affect lung tissue and often require pediatric surgical evaluation to prevent infection or breathing problems.
Constipation
A common digestive condition characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements, often managed with dietary changes, hydration, and lifestyle modification.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, that can travel to the lungs and cause life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD)
Rare conditions where a child’s reproductive anatomy or chromosomes differ from typical male or female patterns, requiring specialized pediatric evaluation and support.
Diverticular Disease of the Colon
When small pouches form in the colon wall; inflammation or infection of these pouches (diverticulitis) can cause abdominal pain and may require medical or surgical treatment.
Duodenal obstruction (atresia or web)
Duodenal obstruction occurs when the small intestine is blocked at or near birth, typically by atresia or a web, and requires surgical correction for normal feeding and digestion.
Esophageal Cancer
A malignant tumor of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and chest discomfort, and is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation depending on stage and location.
Esophageal stenosis
A narrowing of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, and feeding issues, especially in infants and children.
Gallstones
Hardened deposits that develop in the gallbladder and can cause upper abdominal pain, nausea, and complications; symptomatic stones are often treated with cholecystectomy.
Germ cell tumors, melanoma, or metastatic disease
Germ cell tumors, melanoma, and metastatic cancers in children require advanced surgical and oncologic care to manage complex tumor types and prevent further spread.
Hemorrhoids
Swollen blood vessels in the rectal or anal area that can cause pain, bleeding, itching, or discomfort and are often treated with lifestyle changes or minimally invasive procedures.
Hepatoblastoma
A rare liver cancer that typically affects infants and young children, often treated with surgery and chemotherapy for a strong chance of cure.
Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves into the chest through the diaphragm, often causing reflux symptoms and requiring lifestyle changes, medical therapy, or surgical repair depending on severity.
Hirschsprung’s disease
A birth defect that prevents normal stool movement in the colon due to missing nerve cells, requiring surgical treatment to restore healthy bowel function.
Imperforate anus / anorectal malformations
Birth defects that prevent normal stool passage, requiring early surgical treatment and long-term bowel care.
Inguinal (Groin) Hernia
An inguinal (groin) hernia occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, forming a bulge that may cause discomfort and often requires surgical repair.
Inguinal, umbilical, or epigastric hernias
Inguinal, umbilical, and epigastric hernias are common in children and typically appear as soft bulges near the groin, belly button, or upper abdomen, often requiring surgical repair.
Intestinal atresia or stenosis
A congenital blockage or narrowing of the intestine that prevents normal digestion and requires surgical repair in infancy.
Intussusception
Intussusception occurs when a portion of the intestine telescopes into itself, causing a blockage. It is a common emergency in infants and young children and often requires urgent treatment.
Lung Cancer
A serious malignant disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal cell growth that can form tumors; diagnosis and treatment depend on cancer type and stage.
Lymphadenopathy requiring surgical evaluation
Persistent lymph node swelling in children may require surgical evaluation to rule out infection, inflammation, or cancer through biopsy and lab analysis.
Malrotation with or without volvulus
Malrotation is a congenital condition where the intestines are abnormally positioned, sometimes causing volvulus, a twisting of the bowel that requires urgent surgery.
Meckel’s diverticulum
A small pouch in the small intestine present from birth that may cause bleeding, pain, or obstruction, especially in young children.
Meconium ileus
A bowel obstruction in newborns caused by thick meconium and often linked to cystic fibrosis. Treatment may involve enema or surgery.
Morbid Obesity
Morbid obesity is a chronic condition characterized by a BMI of 40 or higher (or 35+ with related health conditions) that significantly increases the risk of serious diseases and often requires comprehensive medical or surgical management.
Neuroblastoma
A rare pediatric cancer of the nerve tissue, most often found in the adrenal glands or abdomen. It typically affects infants and young children and may require surgery, chemotherapy, and long-term follow-up.
Ovarian tumors or pelvic masses
Persistent abdominal or pelvic pain, a noticeable mass, nausea, or early signs of puberty may warrant evaluation.Ovarian tumors and pelvic masses in children are uncommon but may require surgical evaluation. Most are benign, but early diagnosis is key to preserving fertility and preventing complications.
Parathyroid Disease
Parathyroid disease occurs when the small parathyroid glands produce too much or too little hormone, disrupting calcium balance in the body and often requiring surgical evaluation and treatment.
Peripheral Artery Disease
A common circulatory condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, causing pain and increasing risk of heart attack and stroke.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
A progressive circulation disorder where narrowed or blocked blood vessels limit blood flow, often causing leg pain, numbness, and increased risk of complications.
Pyloric stenosis
A condition in infants where thickened stomach muscle blocks food from entering the small intestine, causing forceful vomiting and requiring surgical correction.
Reflux Disease (GERD)
A chronic condition in which stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, and irritation that may require lifestyle changes, medication, or surgical treatment.
Sacrococcygeal teratoma
A rare tumor at the base of the spine in newborns, usually benign and treatable with surgery. Early detection and removal ensure excellent outcomes.
Skin Cancer
The most common cancer in the U.S., including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Early detection and treatment, often surgical removal, improve outcomes.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
A rare cancer that forms in the body’s connective tissues — muscles, tendons, fat, and nerves — and often requires surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy for treatment.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
A dangerous bulge in the aorta as it passes through the chest that can rupture without warning if left untreated.
Thoracic infections & air leaks (empyema, abscess, pneumothorax)
Thoracic infections and air leaks — including empyema, lung abscess, and pneumothorax — can cause serious respiratory issues and often require surgical drainage or repair. Prompt diagnosis and expert care are key to recovery.
Thoracic malignancies (PPB, carcinoid, Ewing sarcoma)
Thoracic malignancies like pleuropulmonary blastoma, bronchial carcinoid, and Ewing sarcoma are rare pediatric cancers of the lungs or chest wall that require expert surgical and oncologic care.
Thoracic masses & access (cysts, thymus, venous access)
Thoracic masses and venous access needs — including cysts, thymic tumors, and port placement — are managed with precision and often treated using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Thyroglossal duct cysts
A congenital neck mass formed from leftover thyroid tissue; it is typically removed surgically to prevent infection or recurrence.
Thyroid Cancer
A malignancy of the thyroid gland that often presents as a neck nodule; most types — especially papillary and follicular — are highly treatable and often curable with surgery and follow‑up therapy.
Thyroid Nodule
A common growth in the thyroid gland. Most nodules are benign, but evaluation with ultrasound and biopsy helps determine if surgery or further treatment is needed.
Tracheoesophageal fistula / Esophageal atresia
Congenital defects of the airway and esophagus that require surgical repair shortly after birth and ongoing pediatric follow-up.
Tracheomalacia (tracheopexy)
A condition where the trachea is abnormally soft, causing airway collapse. Moderate to severe cases may require tracheopexy surgery to support normal breathing.
Undescended testes / testicular torsion
A common birth condition that may require surgery if the testicle does not descend naturally. Testicular torsion is a sudden, painful emergency that requires prompt surgery to restore blood flow and preserve testicular health.
Varicose Veins
Enlarged, twisted veins that appear near the skin's surface, causing discomfort and potentially leading to serious complications if untreated.
Vascular Trauma
Injury to blood vessels from accidents, penetrating wounds, or blunt force that requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening bleeding or limb loss.
Wilms tumor / renal tumors
The most common kidney cancer in children, often presenting as a painless abdominal mass. It is highly treatable with surgery and chemotherapy.

