Glossary

Management of Myelomeningocele Study – a randomized, prospective multi-center study of the efficacy of in utero closure (i.e., fetal surgery) of myelomeningoceles (spina bifida cystica) present in a fetus while still in the womb.

This a progressive disorder that causes a narrowing or closing of the carotid artery or the beginning of its major branches at the base of the brain.  The primary form is heritable (autosomal dominant) and is responsible for 10% of such cases in Japan.  The secondary forms can be seen in patients with conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease, Down’s Syndrome or Neurofibromatosis or after treatments that can be complicated by an irritation of blood vessels (vasculitis) such as radiation.

Magnetic resonance – as in magnetic resonance imaging or MRI

Magnetic Resonance Angiography.  A magnetic resonance image of blood vessels which, unlike routing angiography, is noninvasive.

Magnetic resonance imaging. A sophisticated imaging technique using magnetic fields instead of x-rays to create the image.

Messenger RNA – a type of RNA that passes genetic information from the DNA to the ribosome that directs protein synthesis.

Magnetic Resonance Perfusion.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging  technique for evaluating perfusion or the degree of delivery of oxygen and nutrients by blood circulation to a tissue.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy – specialized magnetic resonance imaging used to characterize and quantitative relative concentrations of brain metabolites. This information can be used in determining the tissue type in an area of interest on a routine magnetic resonance image.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy – This refers to using the MR scanner to perform a NMR analysis of the tissue being imaged ignorer to gain information about its molecular makeup.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus – a strain of bacteria that has developed a resistance to a commonly used penicillin antibiotic, methicillin.