VASCULAR

Terms & Definitions

ANEURYSMS

Aneurysm (fusiform): A ballooning out of the walls of an artery involving the circumference of the artery.

Aneurysm (saccular): A ballooning out of the wall of an artery at a branching site.

Balloon: A modified balloon attached to a catheter and used to inflate the blood vessel.

Coils: Platinum wires in a helical form used to obliterate aneurysms.

Hemorrhage: Bleeding

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH): Bleeding into the brain substance.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): Bleeding into the cavities (ventricles) of the brain.

Parent Vessel Occlusion: A primary treatment involving occlusion of the parent vessel leading to an aneurysm.

SDH (subdural hematoma): Bleeding into the space between a covering over the brain (dura) and the brain.

Stent:A wire mesh that can be placed inside a blood vessel for support of the vessel wall or to support coils.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH): Bleeding into the spinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Temporary parent vessel occlusion: Temporary occlusion of a blood vessel leading to an aneurysm to facilitate treatment.

Venous Hypertension: Increased pressure in veins.

ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION - AVM

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): A collection of abnormal immature blood vessels present at birth with potential for hemorrhage.

Arteriography(angiogram): A diagnostic study to outline the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. Access for this procedure is via the femoral artery in the groin.

AV Fistula: An abnormal connection of artery and vein without intervening capillary network causing high flow of blood from artery to vein.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): The clear fluid surrounding and bathing the brain and spinal cord.

Craniotomy: A procedure to remove or repair an abnormality of the brain by incising the scalp and removing a portion of skull for access to the brain followed by replacement of the bone.

Draining Vein: A vein draining blood directly from the nidus of the AVM.

DSA: Digital substraction arteriography, same as an arteriogram using digital techniques.

Dura: A thick covering over the brain in direct contact with the inside surface of the skull.

Embolization: Placement of materials such as glue, particles or adhesives into blood vessels of the brain from within the blood vessel.

Feeding Artery: An artery directly supplying the AVM nidus.

Gamma Knife: A piece of equipment that uses gamma rays to deliver radiation for radiosurgery.

ICP Monitor: A small probe placed into the brain to measure the intracranial pressure (ICP).

Intra Nidal Aneurysm: An aneurysm arising in or near the nidus of an AVM.

Intraoperative or Intraop: Occurring during an operation.

Neurological Deficit: An abnormal finding upon neurological exam.

Nidus: The active part of the AVM where the arteries and veins come together and the part that must be obliterated to treat it curatively.

Novalis: A piece of equipment to deliver radiation for radiosurgery using photons.

Onyx: An adhesive substance used to embolize blood vessels.

Proton Beam: A piece of equipment to deliver radiation for radiosurgery using heavy particles such as helium.

Radiosurgery: A special form of radiation therapy focusing beams of radiation to a small area of abnormal blood vessel or tumor of the brain without irradiating the whole brain.

Rehabilitation: The use of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as well as other modalities to restore lost function.

Spetzler Martin Grade: A grading system to predict the risk of treatment of an AVM with surgical resection.

Vascular Steal: Shunting blood flow from normal brain into an AVM causing neurological symptoms.

Venous Outlet Stenosis: Abnormal narrowing of a vein draining an AVM nidus.

Venous Varix: An abnormal enlargement or ballooning out of the draining vein or a portion of the draining vein involved with an AVM.

Ventricles: Cavities in the brain where CSF is made and circulated.

Ventriculostomy: Placement, by a small drill hole in the skull, of a tiny tube (catheter) into the cavities of the brain to drain spinal fluid.

INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE (ICH)

Cavernous Angioma: A form of vascular malformation made up of abnormal venous lakes with thin walls and a tendency to hemorrhage.

Hematoma: Blood clot

Parenchyma: The brain substance.

Evacuation: The removal of a substance such as a blood clot (hematoma).

Endoscope: A small tube with a lighting system that can be navigated into the skull, spine, or brain to explore or treat an abnormality.

Hypertension: Increased pressure such as high blood pressure or intracranial pressure.

Morbidity: Pertaining to the loss of capacity relating to an illness or procedure.

Mortality: Death

NOVO VII: Factor VII which is used to treat clotting defects and prevent bleeding.