DOI: 10.1148/rg.231025136
(Radiographics. 2003;23:195-213.)
© RSNA, 2003
Glossary of Medical Devices and Procedures: Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definitions1
Tim B. Hunter, MD and
Mihra S. Taljanovic, MD
1 From the Department of Radiology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724. Received August 2, 2002; revision requested August 28 and received September 19; accepted September 23. Address correspondence to T.B.H. (e-mail: tbh@3towers.com).
Index Terms: Radiology and radiologists • U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Introduction
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The abbreviations, acronyms, and words included in this glossary represent medical device and procedure terminology found in everyday practice. Also included are many colloquial terms and abbreviations frequently encountered on requisitions for radiologic services or in daily conversation. These terms were purposely included because they are often not defined in standard medical texts or dictionaries. The definitions presented herein are the authors’ own, but we believe they conform to general usage. Some meanings vary from locale to locale and from specialty to specialty. Often, terms now in general medical usage originated from the name of a manufacturer or inventor of a particular device. Over time, these terms have acquired a generic meaning of their own, now being applied to a class of devices with the original meaning lost. Examples of this phenomenon include the Jackson-Pratt drain, the Hickman catheter, the Broviac catheter, the Swan-Ganz catheter, the Dobbhoff tube, and the Kirschner wire.
It is surprising that many such terms are not defined or even listed in leading medical specialty textbooks. The package inserts supplied with devices frequently do not cite references that deal with the device’s origin, even when the device carries an inventor’s name. There has also been a recent pernicious increase in the nonstandardized use of common abbreviations in requests for radiologic procedures. Prime examples include the abbreviations ASD and USA. ASD used to mean "atrial septal defect." Now, it sometimes means "airspace disease." USA used to mean the United States of America, but some use it to mean "unstable angina."
The definitions and terms included in this glossary are derived from the authors’ own experience, from discussions with many colleagues, and from information contained in many excellent medical terminology texts. This glossary is also an extension of glossaries found in Radiologic Guide to Medical Devices and Foreign Bodies (St Louis, Mo: Mosby–Year Book, 1994) and Medical Devices, Abbreviations, Acronyms and Eponyms: A Pocket Guide (St Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1994).
~.—a symbol for "about" or "approximately."
.—a symbol for "change" or "diagnosis (dx)."
#.—a symbol for "fracture."
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A
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- Abbott-Rawson tube.–a double-channeled tube for aspiration of fluid from or injection of fluid into the stomach.
- ABF.–aortobifemoral bypass graft or surgery.
- Abn.–abnormal.
- ACD.–automatic (implantable) cardioverter defibrillator.
- ACDF.–anterior cervical (spine) diskectomy and fusion.
- acorn-tip (acorn-tipped) catheter.–commonly used for any drainage catheter with a bulbous end having the appearance of an acorn. A typical example is a Malecot catheter. Also used for a catheter employed in cystourethrography or retrograde pyelography.
- ACR-NEMA Standard.–a detailed specification system for the exchange of information between imaging devices. It has evolved into the DICOM standard. See also DICOM, NEMA.
- ACUTENS.–acupuncture/transcutaneous-nerve stimulation.
- AFB.–aortofemoral bypass graft or surgery.
- AICD.–automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
- AKA.–also known as.
- ALARA.–as low as reasonably achievable.
- aliasing MRI wraparound artifact.–See wraparound artifact.
- allograft.–a tissue graft between donor and recipient of the same species but of disparate genotypes; eg, a cadaver kidney transplant or a kidney transplant from a related donor.
- alumina.–aluminum oxide, which occurs in bauxite, rubies, and sapphires.
- amalgam.–an alloy of two or more metals, one of which is mercury.
- Amplatz filter.–a type of inferior vena cava filter.
- AMS 800.–a type of artificial urinary sphincter.
- AMS Hydroflex.–a type of penile prosthesis.
- AMS 600.–a type of penile prosthesis.
- angiocath.–a type of intravenous catheter.
- ANSI.–American National Standards Institute, a nongovernmental, voluntary federation of trade associations, professional societies, and individuals. ANSI organizes and publishes national standards.
- anterior cervical plates.–a system of plates and screws placed anteriorly in the spine for fixation of unstable spine fractures and dislocations or for stabilization of the spine after surgery.
- antibiotic beads.–Any beadlike material impregnated with antibiotics for use in treating bone and joint infections. The beads, typically composed of poly(methyl methacrylate), are packed into the area of infection. The antibiotics help treat the infection, and the bead packing material provides mechanical support in an area of missing or weakened bone.
- AO.–Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO), known in English-speaking countries as the Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (ASIF). AO was founded in Europe in 1958 to scientifically study and promote the use of internal fixation for the treatment of fractures.
- AO plates, screws, system.–orthopedic apparatus or fixation system designed on the basis of the principles of the AO/ASIF.
- arthroplasty.–a generic term for any joint surgery designed to restore joint function. In many cases, a prosthetic device is used to replace the native joint totally or partially. A total arthroplasty involves prosthetic replacement of both sides of a joint, whereas a hemiarthroplasty involves replacement of only one side of a joint, such as a hip bipolar prosthesis.
- ASAP.–as soon as possible.
- ASD.–used to mean "atrial septal defect." It has now come to mean "airspace disease" and is increasingly found on radiology requisitions for chest radiographs.
- ASFAIK.–as far as I know.
- ASIF.–Association for the Study of Internal Fixation. See also AO.
- ASTM.–American Standards for Testing and Materials.
- ATLS.–advanced trauma life support.
- augmentation mammaplasty implant.–a general term for a breast implant.
- AUS.–artificial urinary sphincter.
- Austin-Moore.–eponym for a type of hip prosthesis. In the past, the term has been used in a generic sense to represent any hip implant. Austin T. Moore (1899–1963) performed the first metallic hip replacement in 1942.
- autograft.–a graft in which material is transferred from one part of a person’s body to another part; eg, bone chips taken from the iliac crest being used for bone grafting in spine surgery.
- automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD, AID).–a device that consists of sensing and shocking electrodes in the heart or great vessels and a generator implanted in the chest or abdominal wall. It is used for the long-term monitoring of the heart rhythm and the emergency treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.
- AVR.–aortic valve replacement.
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- BI, BII.–Billroth I and Billroth II gastric surgeries, respectively.
- Barton tongs.–a metallic clamp with tongs applied to each side of the skull for skeletal traction to treat cervical spine injuries.
- Bateman bipolar endoprosthesis.–a prosthesis that combines a femoral stem with a free-riding acetabular cup.
- Beall valve.–a type of prosthetic heart valve.
- beam-hardening artifact.–a type of computed tomographic artifact that occurs because the x-ray beam in CT scanners is not monochromatic and becomes progressively "harder" (of shorter wavelength) as it passes through tissue.
- beam-width artifact.–an artifact that may be created by the varying width of an ultrasound beam along its course.
- bee cell.–a type of pessary.
- BICAP.–See bipolar electrocoagulation therapy.
- Bilbao-Dotter tube.–an intestinal tube placed into the duodenum or jejunum for the performance of various gastrointestinal radiologic studies, such as hypotonic duodenography or enteroclysis (high enema). The tube is placed with the aid of a stiffening guide wire.
- Billroth.–Christian Albert Theodor Billroth (1829–1894) was a famous Austrian surgeon who introduced the most commonly used operations for gastric resection, the Billroth I and Billroth II.
- biomaterial.–a material brought into contact with living tissue for the treatment of medical and dental conditions.
- Biopty gun.–a type of biopsy gun in which a spring-loaded mechanism is used to rapidly obtain tissue samples with a cutting needle. It is popular for obtaining histologic core biopsy samples from the liver, kidneys, breast, and masses in the abdomen and pelvis.
- bipolar electrocoagulation therapy (BICAP).–a form of endoscopic palliation therapy for esophageal neoplasms.
- bipolar (hip) prosthesis.–a type of hip hemiarthroplasty. It is a hip prosthesis that combines a free-riding acetabular cup press fit into the native acetabulum. The acetabular cup articulates with a prosthetic femoral head and stem component.
- Bird’s nest filter.–a type of inferior vena cava filter.
- Björk-Shiley valve.–a type of prosthetic heart valve.
- BKWP.–below-knee walking plaster.
- blade plate.–a type of orthopedic fixation plate with a fixed angled extension at the end of the plate. The extension is typically placed into the metaphysis of the bone undergoing fracture fixation.
- BNL.–breast needle localization.
- body packers.–See mules.
- Bohlman technique.–a type of posterior cervical spine fixation that involves the use of interspinous wiring with bone grafting to stabilize the spine.
- bone cement.–a biomaterial used to secure a firm fixation of joint prostheses, such as hip and knee joints. It is primarily made of poly(methyl methacrylate) powder and monomer methyl methacrylate liquid.
- bone stimulator.–an electronic device used for stimulating bone growth in cases of poor fracture healing and in cases of extensive spine surgery. It consists of a battery pack and one or more leads with bone-stimulating electrodes introduced into the fracture site or bone graft site to stimulate fracture healing or healing of posterior spinal fusion masses. This device may have an appearance similar to that of a spinal column stimulator, though the two are distinctly different devices with different uses.
- bovine graft (valve).–a biologic body part derived from a cow. Bovine heart valves are sometimes used to replace disease human heart valves.
- brachytherapy.–a type of radiation therapy in which the source of the ionizing radiation is applied directly to or is only a short distance away from the body area being treated.
- BRH.–Bureau of Radiological Health.
- Broviac catheter.–a type of central venous catheter. Broviac is a trademark of C.R. Bard, Inc. (Tewksbury, Mass.). Dr. J. W. Broviac and associates in 1973 described the use of a silicone rubber atrial catheter for parenteral alimentation. The term Broviac is used by some generically to refer to any indwelling central venous catheter.
- Buck’s traction (extension).–a skin traction system in which a fractured leg is extended and held in traction by weights, with the bed raised at the foot to enable the body to act as a counterweight.
- buttress plate.–an orthopedic fixation plate used for bony alignment rather than compression. Typically, buttress plates are used in metaphyseal regions, such as the distal portion of the radius or the proximal portion of the tibia, whereas neutralization plates are used in the shafts of long bones.
- butyl cyanoacrylate.–an embolic material used to treat arteriovenous malformations, vascular fistulas, and so forth.
- Bx.–biopsy.
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.–symbol derived from the Latin cum, meaning "with," such as "51-year-old patient history of heavy smoking."
- CABG.–coronary artery bypass graft procedure.
- cage.–See vertebral cage.
- caliber.–used to express bullet diameter in decimals of an inch or in millimeters.
- cancellous bone screw.–a type of bone screw with a smooth shank proximally and coarse threads distally. It is designed to be inserted into cancellous bone. The threads should not cross a fracture line.
- cannulated screw.–a type of orthopedic screw that has the same appearance as a standard screw except that the shank is hollow, a feature that allows it to be placed over a guide pin for more exact placement.
- Cantor tube.–a type of intestinal drainage tube with a single channel and a weighted mercury bag.
- CAPD.–continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
- Carey capsule.–a device used for small bowel biopsy.
- Carpentier-Edwards valve.–a type of prosthetic heart valve.
- Caspar plate.–the best known of the anterior cervical plates.
- cast gold crown.–another term for a dental gold cap.
- CCPD.–continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis.
- CDRH.–Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
- Celestin tube.–a nylon-reinforced latex tube used to bypass esophageal tumors.
- central venous catheter (CVC, CVP).–a type of catheter used for access to the central venous system, usually the superior vena cava or the right atrium. The catheter may be introduced surgically or percutaneously, typically into the subclavian or jugular venous system, though more peripheral access routes may be used. Central venous catheters have one to three separate lumina and are used to measure central venous pressure, to withdraw blood samples, or to administer medications and hyperalimentation. Drs. J. W. Broviac and R. O. Hickman and their associates independently described some of the first applications for such catheters, and their names are often used generically to refer to an indwelling central venous catheter.
- ceramics.–inorganic compounds that include silicates, metallic oxides, carbides, and various refractory hydrides, sulfides, and nitrides. Ceramics have extremely low coefficients of friction, making them ideal in certain settings for artificial joint surfaces.
- cerclage wires.–circumferential wires used to stabilize long bone fractures. They are often used with intramedullary fixation and work in the same manner as barrel stays.
- cerebrospinal fluid shunt.–any type of shunt used to treat hydrocephalus by draining fluid out of the ventricular system of the brain into the vascular system or into a body cavity.
- cervicothoracic brace.–a type of brace for external immobilization of the cervical spine.
- Charnley-Mueller hip.–refers to one of the first successful hip prostheses. John Charnley (1911–1982), a British surgeon, is considered the father of joint replacement surgery.
- chemical shift artifact.–a type of magnetic resonance imaging artifact commonly seen at the interface of fat and soft tissue.
- chemotherapeutic infusion pump.–a device for instilling chemotherapeutic agents into a body cavity, such as the peritoneum, or into vessels feeding an abdominal or pelvic malignancy. See also intrathecal (drug) delivery pump.
- CHIPES.–stands for Chloral hydrate, Heavy metals, Iodides, Phenothiazines, Enteric-coated, Solvents—a mnemonic for the classes of potentially poisonous compounds that are radiopaque.
- Cimino-Brescia.–a type of distal radial artery–to–cephalic vein fistula surgically created for reliable vascular access in patients who need long-term hemodialysis.
- CLIA.–Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988.
- closed wound suction drains.–drains that offer a constant level of suction, sometimes with a choice of suction pressures.
- cloverleaf filter.–a type of inferior vena cava filter.
- cochlear implant.–a type of surgically implanted hearing aid used to treat sensorineural hearing loss.
- Co-Cr alloy.–cobalt-chromium alloy used as a metallic biomaterial.
- Codman Hakim programmable valve.–a type of cerebrospinal fluid shunt used to treat hydrocephalus. It can be reset noninvasively to control a patient’s cerebrospinal fluid pressure by regulating the amount of fluid drainage. The valve’s pressure settings are adjusted by an external programming device placed near the patient’s skull. There is a significant risk that an MR imaging study will reset the opening pressure of the valve; therefore, the valve settings should be reexamined after the patient undergoes MR imaging.
- comet-tail (ringdown) artifact.–ultrasound artifact that appears as a line of intense, nearly continuous echoes trailing behind a small reflector or behind the bands of a periodic reverberative artifact. Clinically, the comet tail is seen behind gas collections, areas of cholesterosis, metallic clips, needles, and intrauterine devices.
- composite base acrylics.–biomaterials used in tooth-colored restorations and tooth veneers.
- compression plate.–See dynamic compression plate.
- compression screw.–screws that are usually used in the treatment of intertrochanteric and supracondylar femur fractures.
- Cope loop catheter.–a type of catheter with a mechanism for holding the distal end of the catheter in a locked pigtail configuration to prevent accidental catheter removal.
- Copper T, Copper-7, Copper T380A.–types of intrauterine contraceptive devices.
- Cordis sheath.–an access catheter manufactured by the Cordis Corporation (Miami Lakes, Fla). It is basically a thin-walled vascular sheath through which various smaller catheters can be passed. It has come to represent generically any type of sheath that allows access to the central circulation.
- cortical bone screw.–a type of fully threaded bone screw designed for use in cortical bone. It uses fine threads to anchor the screw on the near and far cortex of the bone.
- Cotrel-Dubousset system.–a complex orthopedic system of rods, hooks, cross-links, and screws for the posterior fixation of the spine.
- CPT.–American Medical Association’s Physicians’ Current Procedural Terminology, which is published periodically.
- CR.–computed (or computerized) radiography.
- CRPP.–closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of a fracture.
- Crutchfield tongs.–hinged metal tongs with pointed tips designed to engage the parietal bone of the skull. They are used for cervical traction to treat cervical spine fractures or to stabilize the cervical spine for surgery.
- CSGIT.–continuous-suture graft-inclusion technique, for repair of aortic aneurysms and dissections.
- Cu-7 IUD.–a type of intrauterine contraceptive device.
- CVAC.–central venous access catheter.
- CVC.–See central venous catheter.
- CVP.–central venous pressure.
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- Dacron.–Du Pont’s trade name for polyethylene terephthalate polyester fiber. Dacron is a typical condensation polymer and was the first commercial polyester. Sometimes the terms polyester and Dacron are used interchangeably.
- Dalkon Shield.–a type of intrauterine device. It is no longer marketed because of the high number of pelvic complications associated with its use.
- DCP.–See dynamic compression plate.
- dental amalgam.–an amalgam of silver, tin, and mercury used in dental applications for filling of cavities. It may also contain low concentrations of copper and zinc.
- dental plate.–a plate containing artificial teeth. It is fitted to the shape of the mouth and is usually constructed from metal or acrylic materials.
- dental restorations.–another term for dental fillings.
- Denver shunt.–a pleuroperitoneal shunt for use in patients with intractable pleural effusion.
- Deyerle apparatus.–an apparatus with multiple fixation pins and a side plate. It is used for intracapsular hip fractures.
- DHS.–dynamic hip screw.
- DHT.–Dobbhoff or similar "feeding tube."
- Diamond tube.–a tube, similar to the Abbott-Rawson tube, used for study of the small intestine.
- DICOM.–Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, a detailed specification standard for the exchange of digital images and data between imaging devices. It is an evolution of the ACR-NEMA Standard.
- Dobbhoff tube.–a type of feeding tube developed by Drs. Dobbie and Hoffmeister. It is now a generic term for any small feeding tube.
- Dome card.–refers to one of the video graphics cards manufactured by Dome Imaging Systems (Waltham, Mass). Dome cards are often used in PACS systems. The term has come to generically refer to any high-performance graphics system.
- dome port.–a type of vascular access port.
- Doppler phenomenon.–an eponymous term to describe the apparent change in frequency of a waveform, such as light or sound, whenever the wave source and an observer are in motion relative to each other. If the source and the observer are moving together, the observed frequency is higher than the emitted frequency. If they are moving apart, the observed frequency is lower than the emitted frequency. An important example of the latter case is the "red shift" of visible light and other electromagnetic radiation from distant galaxies, which are receding from our own galaxy, the Milky Way, because of the expansion of the universe. The Doppler phenomenon is used in many medical applications such as color Doppler ultrasound. The phenomenon is named after Christian Doppler (1803–1853), an Austrian physicist and mathematician who first described it.
- dorsal column stimulator.–a type of spinal column stimulator used to reduce chronic pain or muscle spasticity. See also spinal column stimulator.
- double J stent.–See JJ stent.
- double-lumen endotracheal tube.–a tube used for differential ventilation of the two lungs to accommodate differences in compliance between them.
- DR.–digital radiography.
- Dual MicroPort, Dual MacroPort.–types of vascular access ports.
- DuraPhase.–a type of penile prosthesis.
- Dutoit staple.–a long, slender orthopedic staple for anchoring ligaments and tendons to bone. It is most commonly used as part of a repair for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations.
- Dwyer-Zielke (Zielke) system.–a complex orthopedic spine-fixation system used for correcting thoracolumbar scoliosis.
- Dx.–diagnosis or disease.
- dynamic compression plate (DCP).–an orthopedic fracture fixation plate with oval holes designed to provide compression of the fracture as eccentrically placed screws are tightened on either side of the fracture line. DCPs are designed to compress fracture fragments together rather than merely hold them in contact. They are typically used for fractures that are stable.
- dynamic hip screw, dynamic compression screw.–a dynamic hip screw (and sliding nail plate device) that is part of a fixation system to treat intertrochanteric fractures. There is a side plate, which contains a barrel through which a lag screw can slide. The gliding motion of the lag screw is designed to prevent the screw from perforating the femoral head and entering the hip joint space as the fracture fragments settle. The device also provides fracture fragment compression at the time of its initial placement.
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- ED.–emergency department, external device.
- EF.–external fixation.
- Eggers plate.–a slotted metallic bone plate designed for maintaining approximation of bone fragments.
- elastomer.–an elastic, rubberlike substance such as a synthetic rubber or a plastic having some of the physical properties of natural rubber.
- Enders nails.–small, flexible intramedullary nails used for fixation of long bone shaft fractures.
- endoprosthesis.–sometimes applied to a hip prosthesis that consists of a single piece: a press-fit stem with a ball that matches the diameter of the native acetabulum.
- endotracheal tube.–a tube placed in the trachea to control respiration.
- Entriflex tube.–a type of feeding tube.
- En-tube-Plus.–a type of feeding tube.
- ER.–emergency department, emergency room, erectile dysfunction.
- ERCP.–endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram or cholangiopancreatography.
- ESKA Jonas Silicone-Silver.–a type of malleable penile prosthesis.
- esophageal stent.–a stent used in the esophagus to traverse tumors or strictures.
- ESWL.–extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
- ET.–external, endotracheal tube, examination terminal.
- ETT.–endotracheal tube, exercise tolerance test.
- Ewald tube.–a large-bore gastric tube for evacuation and lavage of the stomach. It is typically used in cases of poison ingestion.
- ext.–external.
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- F, Fr.–See French scale.
- FB.–foreign body.
- FDA.–United States Food and Drug Administration.
- Federal Hydrashok bullet.–This .45-caliber bullet often produces characteristic fragments when it deforms in body tissues. It has a hollow point and a post in the center. The copper jacket forms the rim of the bullet tip.
- fine needle aspiration (FNA), fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).–a popular procedure in which a small needle, typically 20–23 gauge, is introduced into a lesion and a few cells are aspirated for cytologic examination.
- Finney Flexi-Rod (Flexirod).–a type of penile prosthesis.
- Fish viscera retainer.–a metallic device used to contain viscera inside the abdominal cavity during abdominal surgery.
- fixation screws (bone screws).–any type of screw used to approximate two pieces of bone or to attach a plate or rod to a bone.
- fixation wire.–any type of wire used to approximate one or more pieces of fractured bone.
- Flexi-Flate.–a type of penile prosthesis.
- Flexiflow tube.–a type of feeding tube.
- FMC.–full metal case, synonymous with full metal jacket.
- FNA, FNAB, FNAC.–See fine needle aspiration.
- focal zone banding.–a sonographic artifact that results from the ultrasound beam having varying intensities along its course.
- fold-in, foldover artifact.–See wraparound artifact.
- Foley catheter.–a balloon-tipped catheter used in the urinary bladder.
- four-poster brace.–a type of brace used for external immobilization of the cervical spine.
- Fr, F.–See French scale.
- Frederick Miller tube.–a type of intestinal feeding tube.
- French scale.–a common scale used for denoting the diameter of catheters, tubes, and sounds. Each French unit approximates 0.33 mm in diameter; therefore 18 French is equivalent to a diameter of 6 mm.
- FT.–feeding tube.
- full metal case (FMC), full metal jacket, ball bullet.–a type of bullet in which a metal jacket completely covers the bullet tip. Full metal jacket bullets typically penetrate at least 10 cm before the bullet yaws. With this type of bullet, a large temporary cavity forms only after significant yaw. Under the terms of The Hague Convention of 1899, the jacket of a military bullet must completely cover the bullet tip.
- Fx.–fracture.
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- Gardner-Wells tongs.–a rigid, semicircular device that contains tongs applied to each side of the skull for skeletal traction to treat cervical spine injuries.
- gastrostomy tube.–a tube surgically, percutaneously, or endoscopically placed into the stomach through the anterior abdominal wall and used for long-term administration of feedings.
- gauge, gage.–the diameter of a slender object; the instrument for measuring and having a graduated scale; the size of a shotgun expressed as the number of lead balls to fit the inner diameter of a barrel to make a pound.
- GCS.–See Glasgow coma scale.
- Gehrung.–a type of pessary.
- Gelfoam.–an absorbable gelatinous material used for hemostasis. It may be applied directly to a wound or injected intravascularly.
- Gellhorn.–a type of pessary.
- geometric artifact.–See linear artifact.
- Gianturco-Rosch Z-stent.–a type of self-expanding metallic stent composed of round stainless steel. It is used in the vascular and biliary systems to buttress areas of narrowing or obstruction.
- Gibbs (truncation) artifact.–a frequency artifact produced by magnetic resonance imaging that is similar to chemical shift and magnetic artifacts. Gibbs artifacts are bright or dark lines parallel to borders of abrupt signal intensity changes. A Gibbs artifact may, for example, simulate a syrinx in the cervical spinal cord. Gibbs artifact is worse on coarse-matrix MR images (such as 128 x 128). Josiah W. Gibbs (1839–1903) was a distinguished American physicist and chemist.
- Glaser safety slug.–a type of bullet consisting of hundreds of pellets of number 12 bird shot in a copper cup with a nonradiopaque fiberglass-Teflon cap.
- Glasgow coma scale (GCS).–a standardized system for evaluating levels of consciousness and neurologic status.
- Gore-Tex.–a trademark of W. L. Gore (Elkton, Md). It is a fluorocarbon polymer and is similar chemically to Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene). Gore-Tex is best known for its use in sportswear, but it has also been utilized in the production of synthetic ligaments and other medical devices.
- Gortex.–a corrupt spelling of Gore-Tex.
- gossypiboma.–used to describe the foreign-body reaction that develops around a retained surgical sponge.
- GRAE.–generally regarded as effective.
- GRAS.–generally regarded as safe.
- Gravigards.–a type of intrauterine contraceptive device.
- gravity drains.–surgical drains that rely on gravity and fluid-tension dynamics to drain fluids away from surgical beds and help tissue approximation and wound healing.
- gravity suit (G suit).–a compression suit applied to a patient to control bleeding.
- Greenfield filter.–a type of inferior vena cava filter for use in the prevention of clot propagation to the lungs.
- Groshong catheter.–a specialized type of central venous catheter with a three-position valve near its tip. The valve allows fluid flow into and out of the catheter but remains closed when the catheter is not in use. This type of catheter does not require routine clamping or flushing with a heparin solution to keep it free of blood clots. It does require flushing with 0.9% normal saline solution on a periodic basis.
- Grosse-Kempfe interlocking nail.–a type of intramedullary fracture fixation rod.
- GSW.–gunshot wound.
- GT.–gastrostomy tube.
- G-tube.–gastrostomy tube.
- Gunther filter.–a type of inferior vena cava filter for use in the prevention of clot propagation to the lungs.
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- Hagie pin.–a partially threaded orthopedic fixation pin designed for hip fractures.
- Halifax clamps.–a type of interlaminar clamp for posterior cervical spine fixation. Halifax clamps are generally used to stabilize a single level and are used in combination with bone grafting.
- Hall-Kaster valve.–a type of prosthetic heart valve.
- Halo vest.–an external cervical immobilization device used for unstable fractures and dislocations. A metallic ring (the halo) is fixed to the outer table of the skull with screws. The halo is connected to a padded fiberglass or plastic thoracic cast by means of metal rods (struts).
- Hancock (porcine) valve.–a type of prosthetic heart valve manufactured from pig heart valves.
- Hansen-Street nail.–a solid intramedullary nail used for femoral shaft fracture fixation.
- Harrington rod.–a device that uses hooks in the lamina and facet joints of the spine to support the spine in cases of fracture, infection, and tumor.
- Harris tube.–a single-lumen tube with a mercury weight used in the study of the small intestine. Its head is similar to that of the Miller-Abbott tube.
- Hawkins catheter.–a self-retaining accordion catheter that assumes a Z configuration after the self-retaining device has been engaged.
- HC.–See Hickman catheter.
- hemiarthroplasty.–an arthroplasty that involves only one side of a joint.
- hemoclips.–surgical clips of various sizes used to occlude bleeding vessels.
- Herbert screw.–a modified orthopedic screw that was originally developed for the fixation of scaphoid fractures. It is cannulated and has threads on both ends and an unthreaded central shank. The pitch of the threads is different on each end, which draws the fracture fragments together as the screw is being placed.
- heterograft.–a graft of tissue or an organ from one species to another species.
- Hickman catheter.–a type of central venous catheter introduced by Dr. R. O. Hickman. It is a trade name of C. R. Bard, Inc. (Tewksbury, Mass) and is often used as a generic term for any central venous catheter.
- HLTx.–heart and lung transplant.
- hollow point bullet.–bullets with a hole in the jacket at the tip. The bullet is designed to deform into a mushroom shape in tissue to maximize tissue damage.
- Holt nail-plate.–A type of fixed angle nail-plate used to treat hip fractures.
- homograft.–a graft of tissue or an organ from a donor of the same species as the recipient. Sometimes considered to be synonymous with allograft.
- HPD.–home peritoneal dialysis.
- Hulka clip.–a clip designed for tubal ligations.
- Hydrashok bullet.–See Federal Hydrashok bullet.
- Hydroflex (AMS Hydroflex).–a type of penile prosthesis.
- hydroxyapatite.–a fundamental inorganic constituent of bone matrix and teeth. It contains calcium, phosphate, and hydroxyl ions and is usually found in a crystalline form with a specific lattice configuration. Hydroxyapatite can also be manufactured as a bioactive ceramic material, which will form chemical bonds with bone.
- hydroxyapatite implant.–a type of implant used to supplement bone defects in the jaw and facial bones.
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- IAB (intraaortic balloon), IABP (intraaortic balloon pump).–See intraaortic counterpulsation balloon.
- IACB (IAC).–See intraaortic counterpulsation balloon.
- IACD, ICD.–implantable (automatic) cardioverter-defibrillator device; the same as an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD).
- Id.–idem; Latin for "the same."
- ID.–identification, infectious disease, inside diameter, intradermal.
- i.e.–id est; Latin for "that is."
- IF.–internal fixation, interstitial fluid, interventional fluoroscopy, intrinsic factor.
- Ileo-B pouch.–a pouch device for collecting fluids from an ostomy site.
- Ilizarov technique.–used most often in reconstructive settings to lengthen limbs, transport bone segments, and correct angular deformities. This technique was developed by Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov (1921–1992) through many years of hard work and experimentation under difficult conditions in an isolated Siberian hospital during the 1940s and 1950s.
- ILV.–independent lung ventilation, a system or device for ventilating the lungs independently of each other.
- IMACS.–image (management) archiving and communications system; the same as PACS.
- immobilization device.–any device to immobilize a patient so that a procedure may be performed. Typical examples include a head holder for cranial computed tomographic studies and a Pigg-O-Stat device to restrain a child for chest radiography.
- implant.–generic term used for materials or devices placed in vivo for the treatment of medical or dental conditions.
- Implantofix II.–a type of vascular access port.
- Infusaid Model 400, Infusaid Model 600.– types of vascular access ports.
- injection artifacts.–a type of nuclear medicine artifact that originates from the injection of radiotracer.
- interfragmentary (lag) screw.–an orthopedic screw that crosses a fracture line.
- interlocking screws.–screws used with intramedullary rods to "lock" the rods in place for control of fracture-fragment rotation and shortening.
- intestinal tube.–any type of tube used to decompress the stomach or large or small bowel, to obtain fluid samples, or to provide an access route for patient nutrition.
- intraaortic counterpulsation balloon device (IACB, IAB, IABP, IAC).–used to support the circulation after cardiac surgery or acute myocardial infarction until the heart recovers adequate function of its own. The balloon is situated in the descending aorta just below the arch. It inflates during diastole and deflates during systole, thereby assisting blood flow into the coronary arteries during diastole and the systemic circulation during systole.
- intracranial aneurysm clip.–a surgical clip used to occlude an intracranial aneurysm.
- intramedullary rod.–an orthopedic rod inserted into the medullary space of a long bone to help with fracture fixation.
- intrathecal (drug) delivery pump.–device that consists of a battery-operated pump placed in a subcutaneous pocket and connected to a catheter situated in the spinal subarachnoid space. It is used for delivery of a carefully controlled volume of medication to the spinal cord and nerve roots. The medication may be a chemotherapeutic agent or an analgesic agent, depending on the patient’s condition. The pump can be refilled via a needle inserted into an access port in the pump, which lies just under the skin. Chemotherapeutic infusion pumps have a similar design and can be used to introduce chemotherapeutic agents into a variety of locations, such as the peritoneal cavity or the vasculature feeding an abdominal or pelvic malignancy.
- intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD).–a small device placed in the uterus to prevent unwanted pregnancy. IUDs are popular contraceptive means in most of the world.
- IOFB.–intraocular or intraorbital foreign body.
- Ionescu-Shiley valve.–a type of prosthetic heart valve.
- IPD.–intermittent peritoneal dialysis.
- IPOP.–immediate postoperative period or immediate postoperative prosthesis.
- IPPB.–intermittent positive-pressure breathing.
- IPPF.–immediate postoperative prosthetic fitting.
- IPPV.–intermittent positive-pressure ventilation.
- iron poisoning.–a common type of poisoning in pediatric patients, who are highly sensitive to iron compounds. Iron poisoning is a large problem in the pediatric age group because iron-containing medications are so widely used, and adults usually do not appreciate the potential toxicity of iron tablets.
- I-S.–Ionescu-Shiley prosthetic heart valve.
- ISO.–International Standards Organization, formed after World War I to coordinate equipment and later software standards worldwide.
- IUD, IUCD.–See intrauterine contraceptive device. IUD can also mean intrauterine death.
- IVC.–inferior vena cava.
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- Jackson-Pratt drain.–a flat, fenestrated, closed-wound surgical drain.
- Jarvik heart.–a pneumatically driven biventricular device invented at the University of Utah. It completely replaces the native heart within the pericardial sac.
- JCAHO.–Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
- jejunostomy tube.–a tube surgically or percutaneously placed into the jejunum through the anterior abdominal wall and used for long-term administration of feedings.
- Jewett nail and Jewett plate.–used together for internal fixation of an intertrochanteric hip fracture.
- JJ stent (double J stent).–an internal drainage catheter with curves at both ends. It is sometimes used for percutaneously placed ureteral stents.
- Jonas penile prosthetic implant.–a type of penile prosthesis.
- JP, JP-drain, JP-tube.–See Jackson-Pratt drain.
- J-tube.–jejunostomy tube.
- J wire.–a common angiography guide wire with a curved, j-shaped end.
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- Kalke-Lillehei valve.–See Lillehei-Kaster valve.
- Kaneda device.–a spinal fixation device designed to facilitate one-stage treatment of thoracolumbar lesions.
- Kimray-Greenfield (K-G) filter.–a type of inferior vena cava filter used to prevent clot propagation to the lungs.
- Kirschner wire (K wire).–a wire commonly used for fixation of fracture fragments during fracture reduction and skeletal traction. K wire has become a generic term for any type of wire or pin fixation of a fracture. The Kirschner wire was developed by Martin Kirschner (1879–1942), a German surgeon, who introduced the use of wire skeletal traction in 1909.
- Knodt rod.–a type of orthopedic fixation rod used for spine reconstruction.
- Knowles pin.–a type of orthopedic fixation pin.
- KTx.–kidney transplant.
- Kuntscher nail.–a type of intramedullary nail for the fixation of fractures. The first practical use of "rods" and "nails" to treat long bone fractures was performed by Gerhard Kuntscher (1900–1972) in 1940 while he served in the German army.
- Kurosaka screw.–a short, broad, headless orthopedic screw designed to anchor anterior cruciate grafts in the metaphysis of the tibia and femur.
- K wire.–See Kirschner wire.
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- LAC.–left atrial catheter.
- lag screw.–an orthopedic screw that provides compression across a fracture line.
- Lane plate.–a metallic bone plate used for fracture fixation.
- latex.–a suspension in water of particles of natural or synthetic rubber or plastic; used in rubber goods, adhesives, paints, and so on.
- LCDCP.–low-contact dynamic compression plate, a type of orthopedic compression plate designed to preserve periosteal blood supply.
- Leinbach prosthesis.–a proximal femoral implant replacement device for the femoral head, neck, and trochanteric regions.
- Le Veen shunt.–a peritoneal jugular shunt designed to drain ascitic fluid from the peritoneal cavity to the central venous system.
- Levin tube.–a small-bore nasogastric tube.
- LGM, Vena Tech/LGM.–a type of vena cava filter.
- Lifeport.–a type of vascular access port.
- light-bulb effect.–a type of computed radiographic artifact. The lower, outer portions of an image appear darkened relative to the remainder of the image because of backscattered radiation entering the photostimulable phosphor imaging plate from the patient’s bed or other object.
- Lillehei-Kaster valve, Lillehei-Nakib valve, Kalke-Lillehei valve, St. Jude bileaflet prosthesis.–types of prosthetic heart valves developed under the tutelage of C. Walton Lillehei (1918–1999). Lillehei is known as the father of open-heart surgery for his pioneering work in developing open-heart surgery techniques, artificial valves, and heart pacemakers. In 1955, Richard A. DeWall and Lillehei developed the first practical heart-lung machine.
- linear artifact.–a type of computed tomographic artifact
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Introduction
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