Medical Dictionary

Mommy of Multiples Medical Terms

ABSCESS / ABDOMINAL ABSCESS An abscess is a collection of pus collected in a cavity formed by the tissue on the basis of an infectious process (usually caused by bacteria or parasites) or other foreign materials. Development of an abscess is a defensive reaction of the tissue to prevent the spread of infectious materials to the other parts of the body. Associate pathophyiologic effects may become life threatening or lead to prolonged hospitalization. Treatment methods include antibiotic therapy, surgical draining of fluid, irrigation and laparoptomy. [ learn more ]

APPENDECTOMY An appendectomy (or appendectomy) is the surgical removal of the vermiform appendix. This procedure is normally performed as an emergency procedure when the patient is suffering from acute appendicitis. [ learn more ]

BRADYCARDIA Bradycardia (a.k.a. brady or bradys) happens when the heart slows down below acceptable limits. In babies, whose normal heartrate is around 150 beats per minute, bradycardia occurs when the heart rate is lower than 100 bpm. Bradys are not uncommon amongst preterm babies, but the length and frequency of them can make them something to be concerned about. [ learn more ]

BRONCHOSCOPY Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at a patient’s airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, your doctor will examine the throat, larynx, trachea, and lower airways. Bronchoscopy may be done to diagnose problems with the airway or to remove an object or growth from the airway.

BRONCHOSTOMY Bronchostomy is the surgical formation of a new opening into a bronchus. See also bronchoscopy, tracheotomy, tracheostomy tube. [ learn more ]

CERVICAL CERCLAGE Cervical cerclage involves stitching shut the cervix, the outlet of the uterus, to prevent it from opening before the pregnancy has gone to term (full-term is 37 to 42 weeks). Cerclage can be done preventively at 12 to 14 weeks before the cervix thins out, or as an emergency measure after the cervix has thinned. It can be done as late as the 26th week of the pregnancy, but is rarely used after 24 weeks. [ learn more ]

CHIARI MALFORMATION Arnold-Chiari malformation, sometimes referred to as the Chiari malformation, is an anomaly of the brain in which the cerebellar tonsils are elongated and pushed down through the opening of the base of the skull (see foramen magnum), blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The brainstem, cranial nerves and the lower portion of the cerebellum may be stretched or compressed. Therefore, any of the functions controlled by these areas may be affected. Patients may experience no symptoms or remain asymptomatic until early adulthood, at which point they will often experience severe headaches and neck pain. Fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, neuropathic pain, visual disturbances, difficulty swallowing, ringing in the ears, impaired fine motor skills, muscle weakness, and palpitations are other common symptoms. [ learn more ]

CPAP An abbreviation for Constant Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine is a breathing assist device, respiratory therapy. Tubes through a baby’s nostrils, called nasal CPAP, push a continuous flow of air or oxygen to the airways to help keep lungs expanded and tiny air passages in the lungs open. CPAP may also be given through an ET tube. This kind of respiratory therapy is used especially before taken completely off ventilation; for babies that can breathe on their own, but need help getting air to their lungs.

CRICOID SPLIT A Cricoid Split or Anterior Cricoid Split (ACS) has been described as an alternative to tracheotomy in management of the premature infant who develops upper airway compromise after extubation. The airway is split to double its size. Muscle around the airway will grow over that opening and seal it off. Sedation is used to prevent any movement that may injure the opening as it heals. [ learn more ]

C-SECTION A caesarean section (or C-section), is a surgical incision through a mother’s abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more fetuses. [ learn more ]

COUMADIN Coumadin (generic name = wafarin) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation of blood clots, and reduces embolic stroke risks and heart attacks. Patients on coumadin are monitored closely and regularly with blood clotting measurements to avoid excessive blood thinning and risk of bleeding. [ learn more ]

CT SCAN Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT scan) is the process of using computers to generate a three-dimensional image from flat x-ray pictures. A CAT scan is used to define normal and abnormal structures in the body and/or assist in procedures by helping to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments. [ learn more ]

CUBIC CENTIMETERS (CC) Cubic centimeters (cc), European, metric measurement of volume; 30 cc = 1 fluid ounce; 1,000 cc = 1 liter, which equals to about 61 cubic inches.

DECANNULATION Tracheostomy Decannulation is the surgical process of removing a tracheostomy and making sure the patient is able to breathe well without it; can be especially fragile in pediattric cases. Some patients must downsize the trach tube before being ready to breathe entirely without it. See also tracheostomy tube. [ learn more ]

G-TUBE (GASTROSOTMY TUBE) A g-tube is a feeding tube that is inserted through an incision in the abdomen directly into the stomach. It is used to vent the stomach (for air or drainage) and in order to give the patient an alternate way for feeding & nurishment. [ learn more ]

HYDROPCEPHALUS An uncharacteristic swelling in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, causing dangerous expansion of the cerebral ventricles. This condition is related to IVH. See also intraventricular hemorrage.

INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRAGE (IVH) Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a type of bleeding from fragile blood vessels in the brain. These blood vessels are especially fragile in premature infants. Babies who are born before 32 weeks of pregnancy are most likely to have this bleeding. The grades/levels of severity of this condition range from 1 to 4. IVH can cause long-term brain damage and developmental problems, including trouble controlling movement on the side of their body opposite the brain injuries. Only time will tell the extent of damage. [ learn more ]

KANGAROO CARE Kangaroo Care, also called skin-to-skin therapy, has been studied in depth since 1983 when neonatologists Edgar Rey and Hector Martinez first implemented it in Bogota, Columbia. Kangaroo Care consists of placing a diaper clad premature baby in an upright position on a parent’s bare chest - tummy to tummy, in between the breasts. The baby’s head is turned so that the ear is above the parent’s heart. Most studies have proven that Kangaroo Care has a positive impact on babies and their parents; some studies have proven there is no change; but no study has proven that Kangaroo Care has hurt either parent or baby.

LARYNGOSCOPY Laryngoscopy is a procedure that a physician uses to examine a patient’s vocal chords to see if they are functioning normally. During the examination, a doctor looks at the back of the throat, including the voice box (larynx) and vocal cords. A laryngoscopy examination is either indirect or direct. [ learn more ]

MAGNESIUM TREATMENT When pregnant women go into labor too early, successful treatment can help stop preterm labor (premature labor) from returning. Labor that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy is called preterm. Premature babies have a greater risk of health problems and death than babies born on or near their due date. To try to stop preterm labor, patients can be treated with magnesium sulfate, which is used to stop preterm labor; it slows contractions of the uterus. [ learn more ]

NASAL CANNULA Nasal cannula, or nasal prongs, are small plastic tubes that fit into a baby’s nostrils and deliver oxygen to the lungs. They often are used in connection with CPAP treatment (see CPAP).

OOPHORECTOMY (AKA OVARIECTOMY) Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries. If one ovary is removed, a woman may continue to menstruate and have children. If both ovaries are removed, menstruation stops and a woman loses the ability to have children. Oophorectomy may be performed to: remove cancerous ovaries, remove the source of estrogen that stimulates some cancers, remove large ovarian cysts in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), excise an abscess, or treat endometriosis. Removal of both ovaries is called bilateral; removal of only one ovary is called unilateral oophorectomy. [ learn more ]

OSTOMY/COLOSTOMY An ostomy is a surgically-created opening from an internal organ to the body’s surface. Colostomy, from “colon” and “ostomy,” is the surgery where an opening is made from the colon (or large intestine) to the outside of the abdomen. Colostomy surgery is used in cases of serious inflammatory disease or infection, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, internal injury, birth defects or abcess in the intestine. Colostomy Reversal can be preformed after the initial emergent state has been stabilized. [ learn more ]

PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS The ductus arteriosus is a normal fetal structure, allowing blood to bypass circulation to the lungs. Since the fetus does not use his/her lungs (oxygen is provided through the mother’s placenta), flow from the right ventricle needs an outlet. The ductus provides this, shunting flow from the left pulmonary artery to the aorta just beyond the origin of the artery to the left subclavian artery. The high levels of oxygen which it is exposed to after birth causes it to close in most cases within 24 hours. When it doesn’t close, it is termed a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). The defect often corrects itself within several months of birth, but may require infusion of chemicals or surgical closure. [ learn more ]

RSV (RESPIRATORY SYNCYTICAL VIRUS) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. RSV is a virus that causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages. It can infect the same person several times during a lifetime, causing more severe illnesses (like pneumonia) in infancy, but only a common cold in adulthood. Children who were born prematurely, or who have preexisting lung, heart, or immune problems are at greatest risk to have serious complications from RSV infection. [ learn more ]

STENOSIS (GLOTTIC OR LARYNGEAL STENOSIS) A “stenosis” is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure. It is also sometimes called a “stricture” (as in urethral stricture). Laryngeal stenosis can be defined as a partial or circumferential narrowing of the endolaryngeal airway. Glottic stenosis is fibrosis, scarring, or narrowing of the larynx that most often involves the posterior glottis. Stenosis most commonly develops secondary to endotracheal intubation. In patients intubated for more than 10 days, the risk of developing posterior glottic stenosis is as high as 15%.

STENT The word stent refers to material that supports some form of tissue against collapse. Most often, stent describes devices that maintain the lumens of tubular organs. In 1965, Montgomery first described the use of silicone prostheses for tracheal stenting. Types of stents include laryngeal stents, tracheal stents, combination tracheal and laryngeal stents, and stents that can be used either in the larynx or trachea.

STRIDOR Stridor is a high pitched sound resulting from turbulent gas flow in the upper airway. It may be inspiratory, expiratory or present on both inspiration and expiration. It can be indicative of serious airway obstruction from severe conditions such as epiglottitis, a foreign body lodged in the airway, or a laryngeal tumor. Stridor is indicative of a potential medical emergency. The first issue of clinical concern in the setting of stridor is whether or not tracheal intubation or tracheotomy is immediately necessary. [ listen ]

STOMA In medicine, a stoma (Greek - plr. stomata) is an opening, usually an unnatural or surgically created opening which connects a portion of the body cavity to the outside environment. Well-known forms of a stomata are a colostomy and tracheostomy.

TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a form of nutrition that is delivered directly into a vein. TPN does not use the digestive system. It may be given to people who are unable to absorb nutrients through the intestinal tract because of intestinal disease or other complications. It is possible to give all the protein, calories, vitamins and minerals a person needs using TPN.

TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE ( “TRACH” ) A tube is inserted through the opening to allow passage of air and removal of secretions. Instead of breathing through the nose and mouth, the patient breathes through the tracheostomy tube. Management of children with tracheostomies is a complex process that required careful coordination and consistent follow-up. See also, decannulation and tracheotomy. [ learn more ]

TRACHEOTOMY A tracheotomy is a surgical procedure in which a cut or opening is made in the windpipe (trachea). This is performed if enough air is not getting to the lungs, if the person cannot breathe without help. This surgery is considered a last-resort procedure, that is done if the situation is classified as life-threatening for the patient. The opening, or hole, is called a stoma. The incision is usually vertical in children and runs from the second to the fourth tracheal ring. Sometimes the terms “tracheotomy” and “tracheostomy” are used interchangeably. See also, decannulation and tracheostomy tube. [ learn more ]

VOCALIZATION IMPAIRMENT (VOCALIZE) If the airway is very small, scarred, or has a granuloma, a patient with a trach may not be able to move enough air past the vocal cords to vocalize. If the vocal cords are scarred or paralyzed, their voice may sound hoarse or unusual. It is recommended to talk to your child even if he/she cannot vocalize. Reading books aloud and teaching sign language are important to help stimulate language and speech development. Infants and children with long-term tracheostomy tubes (6 months or longer) are at risk for language delays, including both receptive and expressive language as well as oral, speech and voice production problems. [ learn more ]

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