Glossary

A

Aneurysm – A weak, bulging area in a blood vessel wall that can burst and cause bleeding.
Angiogram / Cerebral angiography / Arteriogram – An X-ray test using contrast dye to see blood vessels in the brain or neck.
Antiplatelet medication (aspirin, clopidogrel) – Medicines that make blood less “sticky” to reduce clot risk.
Aphasia – Difficulty speaking, understanding, reading, or writing caused by brain damage.
Arachnoid catheter – A thin tube placed in the fluid-filled space around the brain or spinal cord to drain fluid.
Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) – An abnormal connection between an artery and a vein.
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) – A tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain or spine that can bleed.
Atherosclerosis – Hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits.
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) – An inherited condition causing kidney cysts, linked to higher risk of brain aneurysms.

B

Balloon angioplasty – A procedure using a small balloon to widen narrowed blood vessels.
Brain aneurysm (cerebral / intracranial aneurysm) – A weak spot in a brain blood vessel that can swell or rupture.
Brainstem – The lower part of the brain that controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate.

C

Capillary telangiectasia – Small clusters of widened capillaries in the brain, usually harmless.
Carotid artery – A major neck artery supplying blood to the brain.
Cavernoma / Cavernous malformation – A cluster of abnormal blood vessels that may bleed.
Cerebral vasospasm – Narrowing of brain blood vessels, usually after bleeding, reducing blood flow.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) – The clear fluid surrounding and cushioning the brain and spinal cord.
Collagen plug – A material used to seal a blood vessel puncture site after a procedure.
Coil embolisation / Endovascular coiling – A treatment where tiny coils are placed inside an aneurysm to block blood flow.
Computed tomography (CT / CT scan) – A detailed X-ray scan showing brain and body structures.
CT angiography (CTA) – A CT scan with dye to show blood vessels.
CT perfusion – A CT scan to measure blood flow in the brain.
Contrast dye (iodinated contrast, contrast agent) – A special liquid injected during scans to make blood vessels visible.
Convulsions / Seizures – Episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, causing shaking or other symptoms.
Craniotomy – An operation where part of the skull is temporarily removed to reach the brain.

D

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) – A detailed type of angiogram showing blood vessels more clearly.
Dissection – A tear in the wall of a blood vessel, creating a false passage for blood.
Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) – An abnormal artery-to-vein connection in the brain’s covering (dura).
Dysarthria – Slurred or unclear speech due to weakness or poor control of the muscles used for speaking.

E

Embolisation – Blocking a blood vessel (e.g. with coils, glue, or particles) to stop bleeding or reduce blood flow to an abnormality.
Endovascular / Endovascular treatment / Neuroendovascular therapy – Minimally invasive treatment inside blood vessels using catheters.
External ventricular drain (EVD) – A temporary tube that drains excess brain fluid to relieve pressure.

F

Flow diversion / Flow diverter – A stent-like device placed in an artery to divert blood away from an aneurysm.
Fluoroscopy – A type of real-time X-ray used during procedures.

G

General anaesthetic – Medicine that makes a patient completely unconscious during surgery.

H

Haematoma – A collection of blood outside blood vessels (a bruise inside the body).
Haemorrhage – Bleeding, either inside or outside the body.
Hemiparesis – Weakness on one side of the body.
Hydrocephalus – A build-up of fluid in the brain, causing pressure.

I

Infarction – Tissue damage caused by loss of blood supply.
Interventional neuroradiology (neurointerventional radiology / endovascular neurosurgery) – A specialty using imaging and minimally invasive tools to treat brain and spine conditions.
Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) – Bleeding directly into the brain tissue.
Intrasaccular device (e.g. WEB device) – A device placed inside an aneurysm to seal it off.
Ischaemia – Reduced blood flow to tissue, leading to oxygen shortage.

L

Lumbar puncture / Spinal tap – A procedure using a needle in the lower back to collect spinal fluid for testing.

M

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – A scan that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed brain and body images.
Microcatheter – A very thin tube used in blood vessels during endovascular treatment.
Microscope (operating microscope) – A high-powered microscope used in surgery to see small details.
MR angiography (MRA) – An MRI scan that shows blood vessels.

N

Neurocritical care – Specialised intensive care for patients with serious brain or spine conditions.
Neurological deficit – Loss of normal brain or nerve function, such as weakness, speech problems, or vision loss.
Neuroimaging – Any scan that shows the brain or spinal cord (CT, MRI, angiography).
Neurointervention – Minimally invasive procedures to treat brain or spine blood vessel problems.
Neuroform Atlas Stent – A stent used with coiling to treat brain aneurysms.

O

Occlusion – A blockage of a blood vessel.

P

Paresthesia / Dysesthesia – Tingling, prickling, or abnormal skin sensations.
Perfusion – The flow of blood through body tissues.
Photophobia – Sensitivity to light.
Pipeline Vantage Embolization Device / Flow Diverter (PED, PED Shield) – A device to treat large or wide-necked aneurysms.
Posterior circulation – The blood supply from the back part of the brain (supplied by vertebral and basilar arteries).
Pulsatile tinnitus – Hearing a rhythmic “whooshing” sound in the ear, often from blood flow.

R

Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) – A precise form of radiation therapy to treat brain conditions without open surgery.
Recanalisation – The reopening of a previously blocked blood vessel.

S

Shunt – A tube implanted to divert excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body.
Sickle cell disease – A blood disorder that increases the risk of stroke and other complications.
Spinal cord infarction – A stroke affecting the spinal cord due to lack of blood flow.
Spinal vascular malformation – Abnormal blood vessels in the spinal cord.
Stenosis – Narrowing of a blood vessel.
Stent – A small mesh tube used to support a blood vessel.
Stent-assisted coiling – Using a stent alongside coils to treat an aneurysm.
Stroke (ischaemic, haemorrhagic, transient ischaemic attack – TIA) – Sudden loss of brain function due to blocked or burst blood vessel.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage – Bleeding in the space around the brain, usually from an aneurysm.
Subarachnoid space – The fluid-filled space between the brain and its coverings.
Subdural haematoma (SDH) – A bleed between the brain surface and its outer covering.
Surgical clipping – A surgery where a metal clip is placed across an aneurysm to stop blood flow.
Symptoms (general category) – Patient-experienced signs of disease (weakness, speech problems, headaches, etc).

T

Thrombectomy / Mechanical thrombectomy – A procedure to physically remove a clot from a brain artery.
Thrombolysis – Breaking up a blood clot with medicines.
Thrombosis – Formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.
Thrombectomy / Thrombolysis (duplicate consolidated) – Covered above.
Thrombosis / Venous thrombosis – A clot in a vein.
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – A clot-busting drug given in some strokes.
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – A “mini-stroke” where symptoms are temporary and resolve fully.

V

Vasospasm – Sudden narrowing of a blood vessel, often after bleeding in the brain.
Venous hypertension – High pressure in the veins, sometimes linked to vascular malformations.
Ventricles – Fluid-filled spaces inside the brain.
Vertebral artery – An artery in the neck that supplies blood to the back of the brain.

X

Xanthochromia – Yellow colouring of spinal fluid, usually a sign of previous bleeding in the brain.