Glossary

Choroid Plexus Adenoma

Choroid plexus carcinoma

Cerebral perfusion pressure. The pressure driving blood circulation or perfusion within the brain. It is the difference between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and int intracranial pressure (ICP) (i.e., CCP=MAP-ICP)

C-reactive protein – a so called “acute phase”protein found in blood that increases in amount with inflammation and is thus a non-specific marker for inflammation. It activates the complement system by binding to (phosphocholine on) the surface dead or dying cells.

Cerebrospinal Fluid. This is the clear, colorless fluid that fills the space between the brain and spinal cord and the covering arachnoidal membrane. One can think of the brain and spinal cord floating in it. It also fills the interior fluid chabers or ventricles of the brain where much of it is made. the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord.

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.