Glossary

Small interfering RNA – AKA short interfering or silencing RNA. It is a double stranded RNA that participates in the RNAi pathway to regulate gene expression.

Slip ring technology. In a CT scanner the X ray detector is rotating rapidly, the technological challenge is to permit continuous transmission of this data to the static data recording software. This tranmission is achived through “slip rings”, sliding electrical contacts between the detector and the image processing unit.

Sterno-Occipital-Mandibular-Immobilizer.  A brace used to maintain the head, neck and trunk in a proscribed alignment.

SOMI Brace – Sternal-Occipital-Mandibular-Immobilizer, a brace for the cervical thoracic spine. It provides greatest immobilization for the mid and lower cervical spine. It immobilizes the upper cervical spine to a lesser degree.

sp. = species, as in Staphylococcus species.

Single photon emission computed tomography – An imaging technique that measures gamma rays emitted after the injection of a gamma-emitting radioisotope. Typically this isotope is attached to a substance that is taken up by a tissue of interest and the intensity of gamma emission reflects the degree of uptake (metabolic activity) of that tissue. The concentration of emitted rays is recorded three dimensionally allowing for the production of a three dimensional image of the tissue that resembles a CT scan.

The Spetzler Martin Grading Scale:  A scale developed to estimate the risk of surgically treating an arteriovenous Malformation within the brain.  It assigns a risk score based on the AVM’s size, location (eloquent vs non-eloquent adjacent brain) and pattern of venous drainage.  There has been a supplementary modification to the scale that is felt to better establish risk of surgically treating an AVM.

The Spetzler Martin Grading Scale:  A scale developed to estimate the risk of surgically treating an arteriovenous Malformation within the brain.  It assigns a risk score based on the AVM’s size, location (eloquent vs non-eloquent adjacent brain) and pattern of venous drainage.  There has been a supplementary modification to the scale that is felt to better establish risk of surgically treating an AVM.

Supratentorial primative neuroectodermal tumor

Supratentorial primative neuroectodermal tumors