Glossary of Terms

BOTOX® injections - intra-muscular injections of BOTOX® (botolinum protein) which temporarily relieves spasticity in skeletal muscle. Usually used in children with cerebral palsy.

Brachial plexus repair - repair of a network of nerves in the neck and axilla, composed of the anterior branches of the lower four cervical and first two thoracic spinal nerves and supplying the chest, shoulder, and arm.

Cerebral palsy (CP) - a disorder usually caused by brain damage at or before birth. CP may involve muscular impairment and spasticity. Often accompanied by poor coordination, it sometimes involves speech and learning difficulties. CP is occasionally associated with hydrocephalus and spasticity.

Chiari malformation decompression - surgical removal of the posterior and inferior occipital bone and overlying dura. This procedure is done to remove pressure on the underlying cerebellum, as in the Chiari malformations.

Chromosomal and metabolic abnormalities - disorders affecting the chromosomes (genes) and the biochemical, metabolic processes within the body.

Computed tomography (CT) - an X-ray study used to image or view internal bodily structures, including the brain and spine. A series of cross-sectional scans are made along a single axis of a bodily structure and then a computer generated, three-dimensional image of that structure is created.

Congenital malformations - malformations that may occur during development.

Corpus callosotomies - a surgical treatment for some kinds of epilepsy, whereby the commissural plate of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres is sectioned. This disconnection then prevents spread of seizure activity across the hemispheres of the brain.

Cranial nerve disorders - disorders that occur in the cranial nerves (which may affect the face, nose, eyes, mouth, and tongue.)

Craniofacial deformities - anomalies involving the cranium and/or the face.

Craniofacial disorders - congenital anomalies of the skull or face, usually due to congenital or genetic factors.

Craniosynostosis - premature ossification of the skull and closure of the sutures.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) - surgically placed electrodes which enter and stimulate deep drain structures. DBS is done for patients with unilateral or bilateral movement disorders, such as tremor, spasticity and/or dystonia. More information is available from The Neuromuscular Center at HUMC.

Dorsal rhizotomies - a surgical treatment for spasticity where abnormal sensory nerve roots are partially cut. This stops the spasticity in the legs or arms, without losing the motor-abilities of those extremities. Usually recommended for young children with cerebral palsy and leg spasticity.

Dysraphism/Spina Bifida - a congenital defect in which the spinal column is imperfectly closed so that part of the meninges or spinal cord may protrude, often resulting in neurological disorders. May be associated with hydrocephalus and neurogenic bladder.

Electroencephalography (EEG) - a study of the electrical activity of the brain. EEGs are performed by measuring electric potentials, using electrodes which are usually attached to the scalp.

Electrophysiological monitoring - the monitoring of electrical signals which travel through the brain and spinal cord.

Encephalopathies - any of the various diseases of the brain.

Endoscopic surgery - surgery involving the placement of a thin-walled tube (endoscope) into an organ, usually the brain. Surgery is then performed with the assistance of a fiberoptic camera, and small instruments which can be passed through the thin tube.

Endovascular treatment - non-surgical, non-invasive treatment of vascular diseases, including those of the nervous system (aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and arterial stenosis). Endovascular treatment is usually done in an angiography suite with a specially-skilled radiologist and your neurosurgeon.

Epilepsy - any of the various neurological disorders characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of motor, sensory, or personality changes, with or without loss of consciousness, convulsions or seizures.

Hydrocephalus - a condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. This accumulation may cause enlargement of the skull and/ or compression of the brain. May be treated with medication in some conditions, but is usually treated surgically by shunts or endoscopic third ventriculostomies.

Intraoperative mapping - the mapping of function in the brain based on electrical potentials.

Intrathecal Baclofen Pumps - a surgically implanted pump and lumbar spinal catheter. The pump is filled with Baclofen (Lioresal) a medication to treat spasticity. The Baclofen is then slowly pumped into the cerebrospinal fluid of the spine. The pump can be refilled and reprogrammed through the skin, in the doctor's office. Videos and information are available from our Neuromuscular Center.

Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (ITB) - treatment of spasticity using an intrathecal Baclofen pump (see above).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)- an imaging study which does not involve X-rays. A magnetic resonance spectrometer is used to produce electronic images of specific atoms and molecular structures within the body. Commonly used to obtain fine-detailed pictures of the brain, white matter in the brain, spinal cord, and posterior fossa.

Multiple sclerosis - a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system in which gradual destruction of myelin occurs in patches throughout the brain or spinal cord or both, interfering with the nerve pathways and causing muscular weakness, loss of coordination, and speech and visual disturbances. It occurs chiefly in young adults and is thought to be caused by a defect in the immune system that may be of genetic or viral origin.

Neurocutaneous syndromes - diseases involving the nervous system and skin.

Neuronavigation - the identification of neuro-anatomy based on computer guidance and pre-operative MRI or CT images.

Neurophysiological monitoring - evaluation of the physiology and function of the nervous system (brain, brainstem, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves).

Orthotic (brace) design - an orthopedic appliance designed to straighten or support a body part.

Peripheral neuropathies - a disease of the peripheral nerves.

Plagiocephaly - an asymmetrical deformity of the skull due to positional molding. May be treated with physical therapy, molding helmets, and/or surgery.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - tomography in which a computer-generated image of local metabolic and physiological functions in tissues is produced through the detection of gamma rays that are emitted when introduced radionuclides decay and release positrons. Also used for imaging the functional status of the brain.

Psychometrics - the branch of psychology that deals with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests for the measurement of psychological variables such as intelligence, aptitude, and personality traits.

Shunts - a surgically implanted tube which diverts spinal fluid from the brain or spinal canal, to the peritoneum (abdomen), pleura (lungs) or gallbladder.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)- an imaging study that uses tomography of metabolites to evaluate physiological functions in various organs, including the brain. The image is formed by a computer synthesis of data that is transmitted by single gamma photons emitted by radionuclides administered to the patient.

Spasticity - a movement disorder, usually seen in patients with cerebral palsy, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Exaggerated muscle tone causes a spastic state or condition, resulting in weakness and difficulty with coordinated movement.

Stereotactic guidance - intraoperative, computer-based localization of brain anatomy and function based on pre-operative neuro-imaging.

Tethered spinal cord - sacral retention of the spinal cord by the terminal filum or scar tissue, which may cause bowel or bladder incontinence, progressive motor loss and/or sensory impairment in the legs.

Vagal nerve stimulators (VNS) surgically implanted stimulators that are used to treat various kinds of seizures. The battery/generator is surgically placed near or under the armpit. The leads which are thin, insulated wires, wrap around the vagus nerve, in the neck. Electrical stimulation of this nerve has been shown to reduce seizure frequency in some populations of patients with epilepsy. Information is available from our office and The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.