GLOSSARY OF TERMS

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ACR	American College of Radiology
angioplasty	A procedure used to dilate (widen) narrowed arteries. A doctor inserts a catheter with a deflated balloon at its tip into the narrowed part of the artery. Then the balloon is inflated, compressing the plaque and enlarging the inner diameter of the blood vessel so blood can flow more easily. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheter removed. It's a less traumatic and less expensive alternative to bypass surgery for some patients.
arterial embolism	A sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part. The interruption is caused when the artery is blocked by an object (blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque) that has moved in the blood stream from its point of origin to a new location.
arthroscopy	A method of viewing or performing surgery on a joint (shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, or wrist) by use of an arthroscope, which consists of a tube, lens, and a light source designed from fiber optics
ascites	An excess of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (membrane lining of the abdomen). This is typically caused by liver disease. Disorders that may be associated with ascites include: cirrhosis hepatitis portal vein thrombosis (clots in the veins of the liver) constrictive pericarditis congestive heart failure liver cancer protein losing enteropathy nephrotic syndrome pancreatitis malnutrition
aspiration	To draw in or out using suction. The term can refer to inhaling purposefully (such as breathing in oxygen or inhalants) or inhaling accidentally (such as sucking food into the airway). May also refer to medical interventions to remove harmful substances (such as air, body fluids, or bone fragments) or to remove tissue samples for testing.
atherosclerosis	A disease of the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow.
blood clot	Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that results when blood coagulates. A thrombus is a blood clot that forms in a vessel and remains there. An embolism is a clot that travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body. Sometimes, a piece of atherosclerotic plaque, small pieces of tumor, fat globules, air, or other materials can act in the same manner as a blood clot. Thrombi or emboli can lodge in a blood vessel and block the flow of blood in that location. This blockage deprives the tissues in that location of normal blood flow and oxygen (ischemia). This can result in damage, destruction, or even death of the tissues (necrosis), in that area.
carotid duplex	This procedure uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves that echo off the body). The echo is registered with devices that project a 2-dimensional image showing the carotid artery walls and their lumen (interior). This test also looks at the rate the blood flows through the carotid artery (in the neck), which supplies blood to the brain. The test can detect atherosclerotic plaque and blood clots.
claudication	the clinical term for pain in the muscles of the leg due to insufficient delivery of oxygen resulting from a proximal obstruction to blood flow. Peripheral arterial disease is frequently asymptomatic for long periods and often occurs together with coronary artery disease.
colonoscopy	A colonoscopy is a procedure of viewing the interior lining of the large intestine (colon) using a colonoscope, a flexible fiber-optic tube.
contraindication	Conditions that indicate that an intervention (such as a drug, procedure, or surgery) should not be used, because it may not be in the best interest of an individual's health. Treatments can cause unwanted or dangerous actions or interactions when used in individuals with specific conditions or diseases (such as allergies, high blood pressure, or pregnancy) or medical treatments (such as other medications).
core biopsy	A simple, well tolerated procedure which can be accomplished as an outpatient. There may be need for mild sedation and local anesthesia. A large size needle is inserted into the tumor site and a small piece of cancer tissue is extracted for laboratory study. If a tumor is visible or easily palpable, core biopsy may be accomplished in a matter of minutes. For tumors that are located in deeper parts of the body, the procedure is normally done under indirect visualization of the tumor site with CT Scan or Ultrasound.
CT	A CT scan (CAT scan) X-rays the body from many angles. The X-ray beams are detected by the scanner and analyzed by a computer. The computer compiles the images into a picture of the body area being scanned. These images can be viewed on a monitor or reproduced as photographs
cyst	A closed pocket or pouch of tissue; a cyst can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material. Cysts may form within any tissue in the body. Cysts within the lung generally are air filled, while cysts involving the lymph system or kidneys are fluid filled. Migrating parasites such as trichinosis, dog tapeworm (toxocara canis), and echinococcus form cysts within muscle, liver, brain tissue, the lungs and the eye.
DVT	A thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus), which may partially or completely block a blood vessel. Thrombosis in an inflamed vein near the skin causes thrombophlebitis. If blood clots form in a vein deeper down, the result is known as deep-vein thrombosis.
EKG	The electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a graphic recording of the electrical potential as generated by the heart.
embolization	An embolism is a clot (or a piece of plaque that acts in the same manner as a clot) that travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body. The embolism can lodge in an artery at the new location and block the flow of blood in that location. The blockage deprives the tissues in that location of its normal blood flow and oxygen (ischemia). This can result in damage or destruction, even death of the tissues (necrosis), in that organ.
fibroids	Benign tumors of muscle and connective tissue in the uterus. It is possible for a single fibroid to develop although normally there are a number of them. They slowly enlarge and become more nodular, growing out beyond the normal boundaries.
fluoroscopy	examination by means of continuous x-rays
GI	Gastroenterology
hysterectomy	Surgical removal of the uterus, resulting in inability to become pregnant (sterility). May be done through the abdomen or the vagina. A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix (parametrium), and the upper part of the vagina.
I.V.P.	An x-ray of the kidneys and bladder, done frequently to diagnose kidney stones or abnormalities. X-ray contrast is injected into an IV in order to highlight the organs.
invasive	An invasive procedure is a procedure in which the body is entered by a needle, tube, device, or scope.
lumbosacral spine MRI	A noninvasive procedure that produces a picture of the lower spine (backbone) and spinal cord using magnets and radio waves.
lyse	to cause or produce disintegration of a compound, substance, or cell
MRA	Magnetic Resonance Arteriography. Use of MRI to study the blood vessels without the use of iodinate contrast material.
MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging produces pictures without exposure to ionizing radiation (X-rays). The MRI scanner creates a strong magnetic field, which causes the atoms within body tissues to align. A radio wave is directed at the body, triggering the atoms within body tissues to emit radio waves of their own. This returned radio wave creates a signal (resonance) that is detected by the scanner at thousands of angles around the body. The scanner sends the signals to a computer, which processes the information and compiles it into a 3-dimensional image of the area being targeted. Any 2-dimensional "slice" can be projected as a visual image that can be stored on photographic film or videotape. MRI scans can see through bone and provide clear, detailed pictures of soft tissues. The MRI procedure does not use radiation as do X-rays or CT.
myelography	Study of the spinal canal, usually for herniated discs, degenerative disease, or stenosis..
myelogram	This procedure is done by injecting dye into the spinal canal.
myomectomy	surgical excision of a myoma
neuroradiology	radiology of the central nervous system, head and neck
nuclear medicine	Specialized area of diagnostic radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive material to study different organ systems.
PET	Positron emission tomography (PET) provides a picture of the body's activity rather than its structure by measuring levels of injected glucose (sugar) or methionine (an amino acid) that have been labeled with a radioactive tracer. PET is not routinely used for diagnosis, but it may help to determine tumor grade after a diagnosis and to distinguish between recurrent tumor cells from dead cells or scar tissue. Another imaging technique, single photon emission tomography (SPECT), is also useful for these purposes.
percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram	(PTC) This procedure involves using a fluoroscope (a special X-ray that projects images onto a screen) examination of the bile ducts after a contrast medium is injected directly into the bile duct.
radio frequency ablation	the destruction of tissue by means of unmodulated high frequency alternating current delivered by bipolar or unipolar catheters; tissue destruction is caused by heat and cell injury.
renal scan	A test (nuclear scan) that uses small amounts of radioactive materials (radioisotopes) to detect problems with the structure or function of the kidneys.
renins	A test that measures the amount of renin in the blood. Plasma renin activity (PRA) is measured as part of the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.
SPECT	single photon emission tomography (see PET)
stent	A tiny, expandable tube, placed inside a blood vessel, that acts to counteract a blockage.
teleradiology	Teleradiology uses computer networking to connect regional hospitals with the radiologists at Greenville Radiology. Images such as CT and MRI can be sent by computer link for rapid viewing. This is especially significant in emergency situations where time is critical.
thrombosis	A thrombus may form whenever the flow of blood in the arteries or the veins is impeded. Sometimes a thrombus detaches itself from the wall and is carried along by the bloodstream, producing an embolism.
thrombolysis	dissolution of a thrombus
ultrasound	Procedure used to view internal organs as they function and to assess blood flow through vessels, by use of non-invasive high frequency sound waves and a computer.
varicocele occlusion	Dilation (enlargement) of the veins along the spermatic cord (vas deferens). Varicocele is caused by incompetent or inadequate valves within the veins along the spermatic cord (the cord suspending the testis). The abnormal valves cause a backup of blood, resulting in dilation (enlargement) of the veins. Varicoceles usually develop slowly and may produce infertility.