Glossary

Computerized Tomography – AKA Computerized Axial Tomography or CAT scan. This is a type of radiological imaging where a series of 2-dimensional x-ray images are assembled using a computer into a three dimensional image.

CT angiography or computerized axial tomographic angiography.  This is an imaging technique that consists of injection of contrast agent into a blood vessel then performing a CAT scan of the area of interest such as the brain.  The images taken will show the arteries delivering blood to the part of the body being imaged.  This technique is useful for inspecting the brain’s arteries for abnormalities such as aneurysm.

Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthotic – A brace used for stabilizing or supporting the alignment of the neck, back and pelvis. It supports weekend areas of the spine and is used to control unwanted curvature of the spine.

Cervical-Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral-Orthosis. A brace designed to maintain a proscribed alignment for the cervical-thoracic-lumbar-scaral spine.

Clinical tumor volume – a term used when discussing radiotherapy that describes Gross tumor volume (the tumor bed at risk for recurrence or progression) plus a margin around it to account for microscopic infiltration by tumor cells.

Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator – a device that emulsifies tissue using ultrasonic waves and aspirates the resulting slurry.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis.  Clotting of a venous sinus of the brain with blockage of blood flow.  Congestion of the brain with swelling evolves and this can result in a stroke.

CP 450 – a large and diverse group of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of organic substances. These are the major enzymes involved in the reduction of oxygen. It functions in drug metabolism, bioactivation and other metabolic activities in most species being present in at least 75% of the metabolic reactions occurring within living organisms.

The recorded motor potential traveling in the upper motor neurons of the corticospinal tract.

Dural arteriovenous fistula – A vascular anomaly of the brain where there is a direct communication between cortical arteries and venous structures within or immediately adjacent to the dura with a high-flow drainage of blood through dural venous channels resulting.