Glossary

Vacuum-assisted wound closure – AKA negative-pressure wound therapy or NPWT. A sealed wound dressing connected to a vacuum pump creates a negative pressure environment for the wound which promotes healing. To date it has been proven efficacous for diabetic ulcers and studies suggest possible benefit in other types of wounds.

Refers to the diversion of blood flow from one area to another, typically due to a differential in resistance to flow.  The area the blood is diverted from suffers ischemia due to the diminution in blood perfusion.

The process of blood vessel formation from progenitor cells (as opposed to angiogenesis, which is the process of blood vessel formation from existing blood vessels).

A narrowing of arteries due to vasoconstriction (persistent tightening of vessels).  This can be present after a subarachnoid hemorrhage.  It can alter the amount of blood through an involved vessel and, in some cases, completely block flow.  When severe it leads to ischemia in the tissues perfused by the vessel and can culminate in a stroke.

An association (syndrome) of birth defects consisting of Vertebral anomalies, Anal atresia, TracheoeEophageal fistula and Renal and/or Radial anomalies. This association has been enlarged to VACTERL to include Cardiovascular anomalies and Limb defects.

Voiding CystoUrethroGram – A procedure used to observe how the bladder accumulates and empties urine. The test is done by introducing a catheter into the bladder then injecting contrast agent into the bladder while watching with fluoroscopy (video x-ray). After filling the bladder with contrast, the patient is asked ot empty the bladder. During the test the examiner looks for how well the bladder can hold the injected urine, any indication of contrast entering the ureters that connect the bladder with the kidneys (reflux) and how successfully the bladder is emptied on command.

Vascular endothelial growth factor – This is a signaling protein in the platelet-derived growth factor family that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is secreted by cells where there is oxygen deprivation in the normal state and also are secreted by rapidly growing population of cells such as occur with cancers.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor. A family of receptor tyrosine kinases that play a crucial role in regulating angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) and lymphangiogenesis (lymphatic vessel formation). Abnormalities in these proteins with associated disruption in signaling pathways are instrumental in many diseases.

VI = FHI /ID, where the FHI or frontal horn index is the largest width of the frontal horns and ID is the internal diameter from inner table to inner table at this level.

Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rod.  This curved, metal rod that attaches to ribs or the spine using hooks present at each end of the rod.  It is used to straighten the spine and correct chest deformities by separating the ribs.