INTERVENTIONAL
NEURORADIOLOGY

Terms & Definitions

Anesthesiologist: Physician who administers pain-killing medications during surgery.

Aneurysm: Dilation of an artery.

Angiogram: A study which shows the blood vessels leading to and in the brain by injecting a dye or contrast substance through a catheter placed in the artery in the leg.

Angioma: A tumor whose cells tend to form blood vessels (hemangioma) or lymph vessels (lymphangioma).

Angiography: Radiography of blood vessels using the injection of material opaque to x-rays to give better definition to the vessels.

Anticoagulant: A medication that prevents coagulation of the blood.

Arachnoid: Middle layer of membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Arachnoiditis: Inflammation of the arachnoid membrane.

Arteriography: See angiography

Arteriosclerosis: Thickening and calcification of the arterial wall with loss of elasticity and contractility.

Arteriovenous: Relating to both arteries and veins.

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): Collection of blood vessels with one or several abnormal communications between arteries and veins which may cause hemorrhage or seizures.

Avascular: Non-vascular

Bactericidal: Causing the death of bacteria.

Biopsy: Removal of a small portion of tissue.

Carrier: a material or device used to deliver a therapy to a site in or on the body.

Catheter: A small tube used to inject a dye to see the blood vessels.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Water-like fluid produced in the brain that circulates around and protects the brain and spinal cord. Shrinking or expanding of the cranial contents is usually quickly balanced by increase or decrease of this fluid.

Coagulation: The process of clotting.

Coma: A state of profound unconsciousness from which one cannot be roused.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: A diagnostic imaging technique in which a computer reads x-rays to create a three-dimensional map of soft tissue or bone.

Contrast Medium: Any material (usually opaque to x-rays) injected to delineate or define a structure during a radiologic procedure.

Endoscope: A medical device for viewing internal portions of the body. It is usually comprised of fiber optic tubes and video display instruments.

Endoscopy: Inspection of internal body structures or cavities using an endoscope.

Hematoma: A blood clot.

Intra-arterial Catheterization Angiography: A study in which a catheter (a small tube) is placed in the artery and contrast material is injected to which makes the blood vessels visible on an X-Ray image. The catheter is inserted in the groin into the femoral artery (the artery to the leg) through a needle.

Intraoperative Cisternography: Administration of a contrast dye into the ventricles which are chambers in the brain that contain brain fluid.

Informed Consent: Consent of the patient who has received sufficient information to have surgery.

Institutional Review Board (IRB): A committee designated by an institution to oversee research studies.

Laparoscopy: A form of minimally invasive surgery using a type of endoscope known as a lapascope. The technique allows surgeons to perform procedures without making major incisions that can lead to long recovery times.

Laser: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The device that produces a focused beam of light at a defined wavelength that can vaporize tissue.

Localization: Limitation to a definite area. The reference of a sensation to its point of origin.

Medical Device Report (MDR): The required reporting of medical device complaints involving a patient death.

Morbidity: The frequency of the appearance of complications following a surgical procedure or the other treatment.

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Scanning technique for views of the brain or spinal cord. No radiation is involved.

Minimally Invasive Surgery: Surgery requiring small incision(s).

Pain: An unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Physiology: The science of the functioning of living organisms.

Radiologist: A medical doctor who has received specialized training in interpreting x-rays.

Saccular Aneurysm: A balloon-like outpouching of a vessel (the more common type of aneurysm).

Sterile: Free from living organisms. Relating to or characterized by sterility.

Sterilization: The method used to render a material free from living organisms. Usual methods include steam under pressure.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Blood in or bleeding into the space under the arachnoid membrane, most commonly from trauma or from rupture of an aneurysm.

Subdural Hematoma: A collection of blood (clot) trapped under the dura matter.

Surgery: The branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease.

Syndrome: The aggregate of signs and symptoms associated with any morbid process.

Third Party Payor: The source of reimbursement or payment of charges for medical services when the patient does not make direct payment- i.e. payments made by insurance companies.

Tranquilizer: A drug that promotes tranquility by calming.

Vagus Nerve: The tenth cranial nerve.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): Therapy for epilepsy which applies small electrical pulses to the vagus nerve in the neck which regulates internal organs. This therapy is used in patients suffering from partial epilepsy who have failed traditional drug therapy.

Ventricular Drainage: Insertion of a small tube into the ventricles to drain cerebrospinal fluid.

Ventriculostomy: The surgical opening in a ventricle of the brain to drain cerebrospinal fluid.

X-Ray: The ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from a highly evacuated tube.