Neurosurgery Test (2) on 11/1 Flashcards
what diagnostic test can be done for a neuro patient
ct scan
x-ray
mri
What is a PET scan
positron emission topography
noninvasive nuclear imaging
IV radioactive glucose: radiotracers
what does the PEt scan evaluate
how organs and tissues function
physiological processes and rate of metabolism
“hot spots” higher activity (red)
“cold spots” lower activity (dark)
what does a PET scan dx
brain abnormalities
tumors
memory disorders
seizures
what is an encephalography
ultrasound image of the brain
quick but basic
swelling
hemorrhage
abscesses
what is an EEG
electroencephalogram
reads electrical impulses
test for epilepsy
sleep disorder
brain injuries
brain death in coma patient
what is a cerebral angiography
iv radiopaque dye imaging blood supply
percutaneous IV catheter into carotid (often groin)
what is a digitalized cerebral angiography?
angiogram read by computer- creates a precise image of vessel anatomy
removes bone and brain images
what is a myelogram?
x-ray to diagnose compressed spinal cord/ herniated disc
inject contrast media into subarachnoid space
what is a lumbar puncture
hypodermic needle inserted into subarachnoid space (L3-L5)
what are reasons for doing a lumbar puncture
-examine CSF for:
blood, infection, and cancer cells
inject medicine:
-contrast media and anesthetics
-reduce pressure
what is SSEP monitoring
somatosensory evoked potentials
-nerve monitoring
during spinal surgeries and tumor excisions
what are three brain traumas
brain bleed
fractures
paralysis
what are brain bleeds of the brain
epi/subdural hematomas
creates pressure that can lead to death
what kind of traumatic fractures can happen to the brain
cranial
spinal
what types of paralysis can happen to the brain due to trauma
-paraplegia- damage thoracic spinal cord- loss of function in lower limbs, bladder, and bowel
-quadriplegia- damage above C5- loss of function in all 4 limbs, bladder, and bowel
what is Tic Douloureux
trigeminal neuralgia
nerve disease
severe facial pain
nerve 5
cause could be trauma, stroke, pinched nerve, or UK
what is shingles
nerve disease
herpes zoster virus (chicken pox)
painful rash
complications: vision loss or neuralgia
what is encephalitis
CNS infection
inflammation of the brain
autoimmune disease
what is a brain abcess
CNS infection
increased ICP
what is subdural empyema
CNS infection
infectious mass between brain/spine and dura
-2ndary to trauma, meningitis, or surgical contamination
what is Alzheimer’s
neurodegenerative disease/ fatal
memory loss, reasoning, behavior issues
what is Parkinson’s
brain disorder, tremors, movement difficulty
affected basal ganglia