Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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Brain Cancer Learning Center

—A diagnostic test that makes it possible for blood vessels to be seen on film by filling them with a contrast substance or dye that appears on x rays.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Although brain tumor symptoms resemble those of many other illnesses, the presence of a brain tumor may be indicated by: persistent headaches with vomiting or convulsions progressive deterioration of sight, speech, hearing, touch; or deterioration...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
When a patient experiences one or more of the above symptoms, a primary care physician will perform a focused physical examination , take a detailed medical history, and conduct a basic neurologic examination to evaluate: balance and coordination ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the head is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the brain and surrounding nerve tissues. Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic (CT) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets a...
Source:ADAM
Date:December 22, 2008
Like all other parts of the body, the brain and central nervous system are made up of cells that ordinarily grow and divide to create new cells as needed. This is usually an orderly process; but when cells lose their ability to grow normally or to...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Part of the central nervous system located in the skull. Controls mental and physical actions of the organism. The brain, with the spinal cord and network of nerves, controls information flow throughout the body, voluntary actions, such as walking...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Congenital brain defects are a group of disorders of brain development that are present at birth.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Brain abscess is a bacterial infection within the brain.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. Unlike other tumors, brain tumors spread by local extension and rarely metastasize (spread) outside the brain. A benign brain tumor is composed of non-cancerous cells and does not metasta...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Congenital brain defects are a group of disorders of brain development.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
The brain is the part of the central nervous system located in the skull. It controls the mental processes and physical actions of a human being.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
The brain is a large mass of soft nervous tissue made up of both neurons and supporting glial cells lying within the cranium of the skull. The brain contains both gray and white matter. Gray matter is primarily nerve cell bodies, whereas white mat...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners rely on the principles of atomic nuclear-spin resonance. Using strong magnetic fields and radio waves, MRI collects and correlates deflections caused by atoms into images. MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of physical trauma to the head causing damage to the brain. This damage can be focal, or restricted to a single area of the brain, or diffuse, affecting more than one region of the brain. By definition, T...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
The brain is the part of the central nervous system (CNS) inside the skull (the part outside the skull is the spinal cord ). It gives rise to cognitive thought processes and controls various body functions including muscular activity, speech, sigh...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue, either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous), in the brain. Each year, more than 17,000 brain tumors are diagnosed in the United States.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A cranial computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses. See: Computed tomography
Source:ADAM
Date:December 22, 2008
CT imaging equipment includes conventional, spiral, multi-slice, and electron-beam computed tomography full-body scanners, which use x rays to acquire cross-sectional images and computer workstations to reconstruct acquired image data for display ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Computed tomography (CT) scans are completed with the use of a 360-degree x-ray beam and computer production of images. These scans allow for cross- sectional views of body organs and tissues.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Injury to the head may damage the scalp, skull , or brain . The most important consequence of head injury is traumatic brain injury. Head injury may occur either as a closed head injury such as the head hitting a car's windshield, or as a penetrat...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Computed tomography (CT) scans are completed with the use of a 360-degree x-ray beam and computer production of images. These scans allow for cross-sectional views of body organs and tissues. Computed tomography is also known as computerized axial...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Injury to the head may damage the scalp, skull or brain. The most important consequence of head trauma is traumatic brain injury. Head injury may occur either as a closed head injury, such as the head hitting a car's windshield, or as a penetratin...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Head injury is an injury to the scalp, skull, or brain. The most important consequence of head trauma is traumatic brain injury. Head injury may occur either as a closed head injury, such as the head hitting a car's windshield; or as a penetrating...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical examination includes: Inspection (looking at the body; Palpation (feeling the body with ha...
Source:ADAM
Date:February 23, 2009
The health status of populations and of individuals is assessed for many reasons. Assessing needs for care helps guide the allocation of resources— diagnostic assessments guide treatment, prognostic assessments contribute to planning, and assessin...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
A brain biopsy is the removal of a small piece of brain tissue for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the brain, such as Alzheimer's disease , tumors, infection, or inflammation.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease in the body. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, which reveal the structur...
Source:ADAM
Date:February 23, 2009
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly specialized imaging technique using short-lived radiolabeled substances to produce powerful images of the body's biological function.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
A heart positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease or poor blood flow in the heart. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans reveal ...
Source:ADAM
Date:February 4, 2009
A lung positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease in the lungs, especially lung cancer. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) sc...
Source:ADAM
Date:March 24, 2009
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive scanning technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactive positrons (positively charged particles) to visualize body function and metabolism .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
The positron emission tomography ( PET ) unit is a device used to produce images of the body that reflect biochemical changes taking place in the body. Among the body imaging technologies used in medicine, the PET unit is characterized by its use ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive scanning technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactive positrons (positively charged particles) to visualize body function and metabolism.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a scanning technique used in conjunction with small amounts of radiolabeled compounds to visualize brain anatomy and function. A PET scan showing brain activity while patient recognizes faces—left sides at lef...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly specialized imaging technique using short-lived radiolabeled substances to produce extremely high resolution images of the body's biological function.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a noninvasive scanning technique that utilizes small amounts of radioactive positrons (positively charged particles) to visualize body function and metabolism.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Source:ADAM
Date:November 11, 2008
Lumbar puncture (LP) is the technique of using a needle to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal. CSF is the clear, watery liquid that protects the central nervous system from injury and cushions it from the surrounding bone str...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
A biopsy describes the procedure that is used to obtain a very small piece of the target tissue. For some tissues, like the lining of the cheek, cells can be obtained just by scrapping the tissue surface. Other samples are collected using forceps ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a piece of tissue and/or cells are removed to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
A medical procedure used to diagnose a condition. Most biopsies involve taking a small piece of skin or muscle under a local anesthetic. When the cells to be analyzed are accessible by needle, the biopsy specimen may be removed with a hollow aspir...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive way to take pictures of the body. Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic (CT) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The MRI scanner contains the magnet. The magneti...
Source:ADAM
Date:October 29, 2008
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the newest diagnostic medical imaging technologies that uses strong magnets and pulses of radio waves to manipulate the natural magnetic properties in the body to generate a visible image. In the field of...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the newest, and perhaps most versatile, medical imaging technology available. Doctors can get highly refined images of the body's interior without surgery using MRI. By using strong magnets and pulses of ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses radio waves, a magnetic field, and a computer to generate images of the anatomy.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
MRI produces a map of hydrogen atoms distributed in the body. Hydrogen is the simplest element known, the most abundant in biological tissue, and one that can be magnetically polarized. It will align itself within a strong magnetic field, like the...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the newest, and perhaps most versatile, medical imaging technology available. Doctors can get highly refined images of the body's interior without surgery, using MRI. By using strong magnets and pulses of radio ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a unique and versatile medical imaging modality. Doctors can obtain highly refined images of the body's interior using MRI. By using strong magnetic fields and pulses of radio waves to manipulate the natural mag...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the body. See also: Cranial CT scan; Lumbosacral spine CT scan; Orbit CT scan; Thoracic CT scan.
Source:ADAM
Date:October 29, 2008
Computed tomography (also known as CT, CT scan, CAT, or computerized axial tomography) scans use x rays to produce precise cross-sectional images of anatomical structures.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Computed tomography (CT) scanning is a valuable diagnostic tool that provides physicians with views of internal body structures. During a CT scan, multiple x rays are passed through the body, producing cross-sectional images, or "slices, " on a ca...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Computed tomography (CT), formerly referred to as computerized axial tomography (CAT), is a common diagnostic imaging procedure that uses x rays to generate images (slices) of the anatomy.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Computed tomography (CT) scans are completed with the use of a 360-degree x-ray beam and computer production of images. These scans allow for cross-sectional views of body organs and tissues.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Computed tomography scanning, also called CT scan, CAT scan, or computerized axial tomography, is a diagnostic tool that provides views of internal body structures using x rays. In the field of mental health, a CT scan may be used when a patient s...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following: The number of red blood cells (RBCs; The number of white blood cells (WBCs; The total amount of hemoglobin in the blood; The fraction of the blood composed of red blood cells (hematocrit; T...
Source:ADAM
Date:August 10, 2008
One of the most commonly ordered clinical laboratory tests, a blood count, also called a complete blood count (CBC), is a basic evaluation of the cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) suspended in the liquid part of the blood (...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It consists of the following tests: red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet co...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It consists of the following tests: red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet co...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
The clinical laboratory test that evaluates the three main cellular components of peripheral blood (red cells, white cells, and platelets) is called the "complete blood count" (CBC). It is used commonly to assess whether a patient is anemic (low r...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Cytology is the examination of individual cells and small clusters of cells, and may be used for the diagnosis and screening of diseases, including cancers. Cytology can also be referred to as cytopathology.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
Source:ADAM
Date:August 10, 2008
A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland and the bones of the chest ar...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs , heart , small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bones of the chest area. X rays a...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, and the bones of the chest a...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
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