Glossary

Brain Natriuretic Peptide – a protein (hormone) produced by blood vessels and the heart and released in times of stress.  A BNP test measures the levels of this protein in the blood with elevated levels occurring with heart failure.

The introduction of a radiation emitting isotope into a cavity to treat tissue adjacent to the cavity with radiation.

A gene responsible for manufacture of B-raf protein, a signaling protein within cells involved in cell growth and active in some types of cancer cells.

A polysynaptic reflex that can be tested to evaluate the spinal cord’s functional status (i.e., to determine if the spinal cord is in a state of shock).  It is performed by stimulating afferent, sensory fibers of the penis or clitoris (e.g., as happens when the penis or clitoris is squeezed or electrically stimulated) while observing or otherwise monitoring the anal sprinters for reflexive contraction.

Blood Urea Nitrogen – This is a laboratory test on blood for the level of blood urea, a form of nitrogen, which is a metabolic waste product that is cleared from the body by the kidneys. The test is usually used to as a marker for kidney function.

cervical spine – an abbreviation commonly used for cervical spine.

Corrected Age: Also termed “adjusted age”.  The age of a child corrected for premature birth.  Calculated by subtracting the difference between the gestational age at birth and 40 weeks (normal gestational age for baby born at term) from the postnatal age of the child. This correction is typically used only for children under the age of 3 years.

containing calcium carbonate; chalky.

– a formula used to calculate the optimal dose of carboplatin to administer a patient for treatment of a cancer. It adjusts the administered dose for the size of the patient and their globular filtration rate (kidney function).

Computerized axial tomography – a type of radiological imaging where a series of 2-dimensional x-ray images are assembled using a computer into a three dimensional image.