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Anoxia- Failure of oxygen to be delivered to the tissues.
Anoxic Encephalopathy- Failure of oxygen to be delivered to the brain resulting in brain dysfunction.
Aneurysm-Weakness or injury to the wall of a blood vessel causing dilatation or ballooning and, in severe cases, threatening the integrity of the circulatory system resulting in hemorrhage or stroke. A weakened point of an artery, vein or the heart.
Aphasia- Inability to verbally express oneself either because of inability to coordinate speech (Broca's aphasia) or to select the proper words (Wernicke's aphasia). This is usually a result of injury to parts of the speech and auditory processing center in the cerebral cortex of the brain.
Apraxia- Disorder of voluntary movement, consisting of partial or complete incapacity to execute purposeful movement notwithstanding the preservation of muscle power, sensibility, and coordination in general.
Arteriovenous malformation- An abnormal communication between or malformation between an artery and a vein that may occur congenitally or as of a result of an injury or infection.
Asphyxiation- a state of asphyxia or suffocation. Condition caused by insufficient intake of oxygen. Extrinsic causes include choking, toxic gases, exhaust gas (principally carbon monoxide), electric shock, drugs, anesthesia, trauma, crushing injuries of the chest,
Compression of the chest, injury of the respiratory nerves or center, diminished environmental oxygenation, and drowning.
Assault- The willful attempt to harm someone.
Attention deficit disorder-a persistent pattern of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity or both, occurring more frequently and severely than is typical in individuals at a comparable level of development.
Atrophy- Shrinkage or wasting away of a tissue or organ because of a reduction in the
size or number of its cells. Atrophy may result from death and reabsorption of cells, diminished cellular proliferation, pressure, ischemia, malnutrition, decreased activity or hormonal changes.
Augumentative communication device- a modality or device designed to improve the ability to communicate. (see light writer)
Axonal injuries- Damage to a component (axon) of nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals from one nerve to another or from one nerve to its target organ.
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Behavior protocol-a procedure developed for patients needing to manage socially unacceptable behaviors as a result of a brain injury. This is an integral part of a neurobehavioral intervention within a specialized rehabilitation program.
Birth Defects-Abnormalities at birth or detectable early in infancy. Also called congenital defects. Causes can be genetic or inherited, as a result of drug or chemicals, accidental irradiation early in the pregnancy, maternal infections or certain illnesses during the pregnancy, or physical factors in the uterus.
Bifed Uvula- Tissue that is conical and hangs from the middle of the lower edge of the soft palate. (part of the roof of the mouth) The uvula is composed of muscle and connective tissue, with a covering of mucous membrane. Some people are born with this structure being forked. This may be associated with cleft lip and palate.
Brain Edema-Swelling resulting from increased water content occurring as a result of injury to the brain.
Brain Hemorrhage- localized bleeding resulting from injury to the blood vessels in or around the brain. There are 4 types of hemorrhage: extradural, subdural, subarachnoid, and intracerebral.
Brain ischemia- Injury resulting from insufficient supply of blood and therefore oxygen to parts of the brain. Injury can be transient (syncope [fainting], transient ischemic attack) or permanent (infarct, stroke with irreversible components).
Brain neoplasm- Abnormal proliferation of cells, either benign (no proliferative activity) or malignant (actively growing).
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Cardiac arrest- Cessation of the pumping activity of the heart resulting in failure of circulation of the blood throughout the body.
Cardiopulmonary insufficiency- Suboptimal/inadequate pumping activity of the heart and ventilation/perfusion of the lungs resulting in poor circulation of the blood and poor tissue oxygenation, respectively.
Cerebral edema- Swelling in the brain due to an increase in its water content.
Cerebral vascular accident- A sudden rupture or blockage of a blood vessel within the brain causing serious bleeding or local obstruction to circulatory flow in the brain, resulting in a stroke.
Closed head injury- Trauma to the head, which does not fracture or penetrate the skull but severely shakes the brain and may result in brain damage. This can occur as a result of an auto accident, sports injury, fall, assault, work related, accident at home, or from a bullet wound.
Coma- a state of unconsciousness and unresponsiveness that results from disturbance or damage to areas of the brain.
Comatose-the state of being in a coma, which is in a state of unconsciousness and unresponsiveness resulting from disturbance or damage to areas of the brain.
Coma stimulation program- Therapeutic program using all senses and modalities to attempt to deblock or create a response from the patient. (Early intervention)
Confabulation-a behavioral reaction to memory loss in which the patient fills in memory gaps with inappropriate words.
Cognitive-Awareness with perception, reasoning and judgement, intuition, and memory;
The mental process by which knowledge is acquired.
Cognitive Deficit- difficulties in reasoning, judgment, intuition and memory, lack of awareness and insight.
Contingency Management- Management program supporting an anticipatable patient's response to specific stimuli.
Contusion- Any injury (usually caused by a blow) in which the skin is not broken (a bruise). In the brain, this could result from a rapid deceleration of the head causing the brain to impact on the skull's internal bony prominences.
Concussion/contusion-a mild injury or bruise to the brain which may result in a brief period of loss of consciousness. This may cause memory loss, difficulty concentrating headaches, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Congenital anomalies-an abnormality present at birth. The abnormality may have been inherited genetically from the parents, or occurred as a result of damage or infection of the uterus, or may have occurred at the time of birth.
Cleft Palate-a congenital fissure at the roof of the mouth forming a communicating passageway between the mouth and nasal cavities. It may be unilateral or bilateral and complete or incomplete.
Constructional apraxia- inability to draw or construct two-three dimensional forms or figures and impairment in the ability to integrate perception into kinesthetic images.
Craniotomy-a surgical operation of the cranium resulting from removal of a tumor or
aspiration and drainage of an abscess or blood clot.
CT Scan- A diagnostic test using x-ray that takes pictures of the brain or other parts of the body. (CAT Scan) which produces clear cross sectional images.
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Dementia-cognitive deficit or memory impairment due to progressive brain injury.
Derealization- a sense that reality has changed, detachment from ones own surroundings.
Depression-a mental disorder marked by altered mood, this may occur daily with the addition of diminished interest or pleasure in most or all activities. Symptoms can be as follows: poor appetite or weight loss, or weight gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, difficulties with concentration and thinking, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideations.
Disinhibited Behavior-freedom to act in accordance with one's drives with a decrease in social or cultural constraint.
Drug abuse-The use of a drug for a purpose other than that for which it is normally prescribed or recommended.
Dysarthria-Speech that is slurred and labored due to impairment of the tongue musculature and other muscles essential to speech and articulation.
Dysnomia- inability to remember names of objects.
Dysphagia-Inability or difficulty swallowing.
Dual diagnosis-two conditions, diseases or syndromes existing simultaneously.
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EEG-Amplification and recording of the electrical activities of the brain. This test can be helpful in ruling out epilepsy or localizing lesions in the cerebrum.
Egocentricity- Withdrawal from the external world and concentration on the inner self.
Self-centeredness, inability to entertain feelings and thoughts of others.
Electrocution Injury- Injury that occurs from electricity that varies according to type and strength of current and length and location of contact. Electric Shocks can result in burns,
Fibrillation of the heart, and unconsciousness from disabling the respiratory center.
Encephalitis-Inflammation of the brain
Encephalomacia- an area of cerebral softening in the brain matter, resulting from a loss in the parenchyma, accompanied by remodeling, following an ischemic, traumatic or mechanical injury.
Epilepsy-A neurological disorder which results in recurrent seizures.
Epidural hematoma- a hematoma (swelling or mass of blood usually clotted) above the dura mater, usually arterial, except in the posterior fossa.
ENT- An ear, nose and throat examination by a specialist in the field of otolaryngology.
Evacuation---the act of removing.
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Frontal lobe- four main convolutions in front of the central sulcus of the cerebrum. Functions such as motor, speech and behavior are associated with this area of the brain. In addition, emotional control, inhibition of impulses, motivation and social abilities. (Part of the cerebral hemisphere)
Fusion-meeting or joining together
Fall-an accidental drop
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Gastrostomy tube- a tube placed in the gastrostomy as a means of feeding the patient.
(gastrostomy-surgical creation of a gastric fistula through the abdominal wall to for the purpose of introducing food into the stomach.
Genetic Disease- the impact of pathological changes resulting from inherited traits.
Genetic Disorder-any disorder caused, wholly or in part, by a fault or faults in the inherited genetic material within a person's cells that is, in the genes formed from the DNA which make up the chromosomes in a persons cells. A large number of diseases have wholly or in part, a genetic cause. Many genetic disorders are apparent a birth and are thus also congenital.
Glasgow coma scale- A Scale which evaluates the patient's level of awareness, which indirectly indicates the extent of neurologic injury. The scale rates three categories of patient responses; eye opening, best verbal response, and best motor response. The lowest score is 3 and is indicative of no response, the highest score is 15, indicates the patient is alert and aware of his or her surroundings.
Gunshot wound-a break in the continuity of the soft parts of body structures caused by a bullet resulting in trauma to the tissues.
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Head trauma-injury to the head, scalp and cranium that may be limited to soft tissue damage or may include the cranial bones and the brain.
Hematoma-a localized collection of blood, usually clotted, caused by bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel.
Hemorrhage-an abnormal severe internal or external discharge of blood. It may be venous, arterial or capillary from blood vessels into tissues, into or from the body.
Hemothorax- blood or bloody fluid in the pleural cavity caused by rupture of blood vessels resulting from trauma or inflammation of the lungs from pneumonia.
Herniation- (cerebral) protrusion of the brain through the cranial wall.
Hydrocephalus- an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid usually under increased pressure within the skull. The condition may be congenital, result from a head injury brain hemorrhage, infection or tumor.
Hypoxia-An inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues.
Hypothalamus-a subcortical region lying beneath the thalamus important to the control of certain metabolic activities such as maintenance of water, sugar balance, fat metabolism, regulation of body temperature, and secretion of releasing and inhibiting hormones.
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ICP Monitor-Intracranial pressure monitor. A small tube placed into or just on top of the brain through a small hole in the skull. This will measure the intracranial pressure in the brain.
Ideation-process of thinking or the formation of ideas that may be affected adversely post brain injury.
Iliac Crest allograft-transplant tissue obtained from the same species in this case this would be the superior margin of the pelvis.
Impulse Dyscontrol-an inability to inhibit impulses (actions normally inhibited) which are an arousing of the mind and spirit to some unpremeditated action as a result of a brain injury. Inappropriate social behavior-behavior unacceptable in varying circumstances.
Increased intracranial pressure- Following a brain injury there is often a build-up of pressure within the skull, which compresses delicate brain tissue and may lead to further brain injury. The brain its membranes and cerebrospinal fluid are all encased in the skull, therefore resulting in no space to accommodate the accumulation of blood or swelling hence -the pressure builds up.
Intracranial hemorrhage-Bleeding into the cranium.
Intracerebral hemorrhage- Bleeding into the brain from a ruptured vessel, and is one of mechanisms that can cause a stroke.
Intracerebral Hematoma- bleeding in and around brain tissue leads to a build-up of blood within the brain itself, these hematomas usually result from penetrating wounds or blood vessels that rupture.
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Jejunostomy Tube (J-Tube)- A type of feeding tube surgically inserted into the small intestine.
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Labile emotions- excessive emotional reactivity associated with frequent changes in mood and emotions.
Lacunar infarct-
An area of tissue in an organ or part that undergoes necrosis following cessation of blood supply. This small infarct is usually located in the deep noncortical cerebrum or brain stem resulting from occlusion of the penetrating branches of the cerebral arteries.
Life care plan- a document created that establishes the goals and objectives for rehabilitation and discusses current and projected future requirements of care needed for the patient to achieve a quality existence. It summarizes the medical, psychosocial, educational, vocational, and daily living needs of the patient. The plan also outlines a cost assessment of care and equipment needed for the patient over his or her lifetime.
Lightwriter- An augmentative communication device made in England by Toby Churchill Industries. This device is a small lightweight hand held computer and speech synthesizer used to support patients with communication problems post-brain injury. It is distributed by Zygo industries in the Portland Oregon.
Loss of consciousness- lack of awareness and having perception
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Mass effect-structure displaced by an intracerebral event.
Medication non-compliance- not following treatment and or not taking medications as prescribed.
Medication compliance- following the treatment and taking the appropriate medications as prescribed.
Meningitis-Inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord or brain.
Mild head injury-loss of consciousness if at all of 20 minutes or less, post traumatic amnesia of less than 24 hours, non-focal negative neurologic exam, and normal neurodiagnostic studies. Symptoms are highly variable and can emerge anywhere from 24-hours to two weeks post injury. These symptoms can range from headache to dizziness to emotional, physical, cognitive or intellectual.
Modified barium swallow-Radiographic examination of the esophagus during or after the introduction of a contrast medium consisting of barium sulfate. Structural abnormalities of the esophagus may be diagnosed through use of this technique.
Motor vehicle accidents- One of the primary causes of traumatic brain injury.
MRI Scan-Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic technique that provides cross-sectional images of the brain and other organs and structures within the body without X-ray or other forms of radiation.
Myoclonic seizures- Type of seizure marked by sudden and brief contractions of a single group of muscles or of the entire body. The patient may fall but does not experience a loss of consciousness.
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Neurocognitive skills- the higher processes of being consciously aware of thoughts and perception including all aspects of perceiving, thinking and remembering.
Neurologist- A physician who specializes in diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Neuropsychiatrist- A physician concerned with the study of the brain and mental diseases.
Neuropsychologist-A psychologist who specializes in working with patients who have experienced brain injuries. Neuropsychologists often carry out special tests of brain function and work closely with the Rehabilitation team.
Neuropathy-Disease, inflammation or damage to the peripheral nerves, which connect to the spinal cord and brain, or central nervous system. Most neuropathies arise from damage to the axons or their myelin sheaths.
Neurovascular diseases- diseases concerning both the nervous and vascular systems.
(Includes, stroke arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms)
Non-penetrating head injury- trauma to the head that does not penetrate or fracture the skull but damages the brain.
Noncompliance- The failure or refusal of the patient to cooperate, and carry out that activity with regard for what has been communicated as appropriate and therefore exerts his or her control.
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Occupational Therapist-a specialist who retrains patients to resume the self-care activities important to daily living. The Occupational Therapist works to improve functions in the patient's hands and upper body.
Occipital Lobe-Located in the back of the cortex behind the parietal and temporal lobes and contains the center for sight. (Part of the cerebral hemisphere)
Orthotic splint- splint or brace used to support or align in order to improve the function of movable parts of the body.
Otitis Media-Inflammation of the ear. The presence of fluid in the middle ear causing drainage from the ear canal, and hearing loss.
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Parietal Lobe- the division of the cerebral hemisphere lying behind the frontal lobe. It receives and processes sensations of touch including pain, heat, cold, pressure, size, shape, and texture. Also the combined analysis of information from the various senses occurs in this lobe. (Part of the cerebral hemisphere)
Penetrating head injury-entering the interior of an organ or cavity, trauma to the head that does penetrate or fracture the skull.
Physical Aggression-a forceful physical action performed as self-protective or inappropriate to the particular situation.
Physical Therapist- An expert in maintaining and improving the movement and function of joints and limbs. Physical therapists may begin to work with patients early in the rehabilitation phase.
Physiatrist-a Physician responsible for coordinating the rehabilitative needs of the patient, to promote a better overall outcome.
Poor judgment and safety awareness- the inability to integrate all information when making decisions, inability to identify hazards in the immediate area.
Pnemothorax-a collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity. The gas enters as the result of a perforation through the chest wall or the pleura covering the lung. This perforation may be a result of an injury.
Progressive disease- advancing as a disease from bad to worse. A progressively debilitating condition. (Link to Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's)
Property Destruction- Damage to personal or private property as a symptom of underlying cognitive and behavioral problems post brain injury.
Psychosis-A term formerly applied to any mental disorder but now generally restricted to those disturbances of such magnitude that there is a personality disintegration and loss of contact with reality.
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Rancho Los Amigos Scale of Cognitive Functioning- This is a scale widely used to describe and communicate the patient's level of functioning. This scale will assist professionals in developing treatment protocols for patients during their rehabilitation.
The scale is divided into eight phases beginning at level 1, deep coma, to level eight purposeful and appropriate. This scale is used as a guide to patient's progress over longer periods of time and demonstrates the transition that occurs in cognitive functioning post brain injury.
Recreational accidents-an event occurring by chance or unexpectedly during diversion or outside of work.
Respiratory failure- A condition where there is a build up of carbon dioxide and a fall in the level of oxygen in the blood.
Revolving Door Cycle- inappropriate behavior that leads to legal attention, eventual psychiatric placement, discharge and a high rate of recidivism back into the psychiatric system.
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Seizure disorder- a pathologic condition resulting in a sudden episode of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. If the abnormal activity remains confined to one area, the person may experience tingling or twitching of only a small area of the body, such as the face or an extremity. Other symptoms include hallucinations or intense feelings of fear or familiarity. If the electrical activity spreads throughout the brain, consciousness is lost and a grand mal seizure results. Recurrent seizures are called epilepsy. Causes of seizures may be many neurological or medical problems including head injury, infection, stroke, brain tumor, metabolic or alcohol.
Self-injurious behavior- thinking about suicide, taking one's anger out on one's self by biting, hitting cutting or banging one's head.
Sexual disinhibition-inability to manage sexual drive or impulses manifested by touching others inappropriately.
Shunt- the procedure of removing excess fluid from the brain. A surgically placed tube connected from the ventricles of the brain deposits fluids into the abdominal cavity, heart or large veins of the neck.
Skull fracture-a break in one or more of the skull bones caused by a head injury.
When the pieces of bone are displaced and press in against the brain tissue a more serious injury may result commonly called a depressed skull fracture. To prevent further brain injury and bleeding these fractures usually require surgical intervention.
Spacticity- Increased tone or contractions of the muscles causing stiff and awkward movements.
Speech and Language Pathologist- person responsible for evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders including auditory comprehension, cognitive, attention,
Writing, reading, and expression skills.
Stroke-Damage to the brain caused by interruption to its blood supply or leakage of blood outside of vessel walls. Sensation, movement, or function controlled by the damaged area can be impaired. Strokes may be caused by the following three conditions; thrombosis and embolism both lead to cessation of blood supply to part of the brain causing infarction. (Tissue death) Rupture of a blood vessel in or near the brain may cause an intracerebral hemorrhage or a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage-the type of brain hemorrhage in which blood from a ruptured blood vessel spreads over the surface of the brain. The most common cause is a ruptured aneurysm.
Subdural hematoma- a blood clot that forms between the dura and the brain tissue. If this bleeding occurs quickly it is called an acute subdural hematoma. If it occurs slowly over weeks it is called a chronic subdural hematoma. The clot may cause increased pressure and may need to be surgically removed.
Substance abuse-Excessive use of drugs without medical justification.
Suffocation- the act of obstructing the air passages, to impair respiration.
Suicidal ideation- thoughts about killing oneself
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Temporal lobe-The lobe of the cerebrum located lateral and below the frontal and occipital lobes. This area controls auditory receptive and our ability to process and understand the meaning of the verbal message and our memory functions. (Part of the cerebral hemisphere)
Thalamus-subdivision of the brain that serves as a relay station to and from the cerebral cortex and functions in arousal and the integration of sensory information.
Temporoparietal- affecting the temporal and parietal lobes of the cerebral hemisphere
Tinnitus-a subjective ringing sound in the ear.
Toxic substances- (link to Wilson's disease, lead poisoning)
Any substance that can cause acute or chronic injury to the human body or that is suspected of being able to cause disease or injury under some conditions.
Tracheostomy- the operation of incising the skin over the trachea and making a surgical wound in the trachea to permit and create an airway during a tracheal obstruction.
Transarticular screw fixation -process by which the articular facet of adjoining spinous processes are linked with an instrumentation screw.
Trauma- A physical injury or wound caused by an external force or violence.
Tumor- intracranial mass or abnormal growth in or around the brain.
These may be benign or malignant. Types of primary growth tumors are called gliomas, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, and pituitary tumors. Certain tumors affect primarily children including craniopharyngioma, medulloblastoma, and cerebellar astrocytoma.
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Ventilator-equipment that does the breathing for the patient by delivering air in the appropriate percentage of oxygen and at the appropriate rate.
Verbal aggression- Outbursts or inappropriate language used in socially inappropriate settings.
Vitamin deficiencies-
A lack of certain vitamins or substances essential to the body and mind's good health and normal functioning.
VP Shunt-a procedure for removing excessive fluid in the brain. A surgically placed tube connected from the ventricles of the brain and deposits fluids into the abdominal cavity, heart or large veins of the neck.
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Wernickes-Korsakoff Syndrome-an uncommon brain disorder almost always due to malnutrition that occurs in chronic alcohol dependence or occasionally in other conditions such as cancer with malnutrition.
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