Glossary
Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
A surgical procedure to treat complex problems with the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the brain and central nervous system.
Electroencephalography (EEG)
A test to record and measure the electrical activity of the brain, often used to help diagnose epilepsy and sleep disorders.
Electromyogram (EMG)
A diagnostic procedure to help confirm or rule out nerve and muscle disorders, including peripheral neuropathies and myopathies.
Endovascular Neurosurgery
A subspecialty within neurosurgery that uses catheters and radiology, rather than open surgery, to diagnose and treat various conditions and diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
Epileptologist
A neurologist who specializes in epilepsy.
Evoked Potential (EP) test
A test, similar to an EEG, which measures the electrical activity of the brain, often used to help confirm a diagnosis of epilepsy or multiple sclerosis.
Interventional Neuroradiology
A subspecialty within neurology and radiology that uses minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to treat many of the most complex diseases of the brain, neck and spine.
Intra-operative brain mapping
A procedure performed before (or during) surgery to help “map out” parts of the brain that control movement or speech. The mapping process is necessary to help a surgeon avoid these areas when removing a brain tumor or a section of the brain causing seizures.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A diagnostic test which can show brain problems or injury.
Minimally invasive cranial surgery (sometimes called "keyhole" surgery)
A surgical procedure to remove brain tumors through a small incision (the "keyhole") usually behind the ear.
Minimally-invasive procedure
A surgical procedure that’s performed through one or more tiny incisions instead of one large opening. The small incisions usually help patients recover quicker and with less pain.
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test
A test to show how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is used to help diagnose nerve disorders such as peripheral neuropathy and mononeuritis multiplex.
Neuro-oncologist
A physician who specializes in caring for patients with primary tumors of the brain and spinal cord.
Neuro-ophthalmologist
A physician who specializes in caring for patients with vision problems related to diseases or injuries to the brain or to the optic nerves which send visual signals from the eyes to the brain.
Neurogenetic disorder
An inherited condition that affects the nervous system. Most neurological conditions are not inherited but some may run in families including stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic counseling and testing can help detect genetic mutations that are responsible for neurogenetic diseases.
Neurointerventional surgery
A subspecialty within neurosurgery that uses catheters and radiology, rather than open surgery, to diagnose and treat various conditions and diseases of the brain and the spinal cord.
Neurologist
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating illnesses, disorders and injuries that involve the nervous system including epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Neurologists often work closely with neurosurgeons, but do not perform surgery.
Neuropsychologist
A physician who specializes in treating the brain and nervous system disorders that can alter behavior and cognitive function.
Neurosurgeon
A surgeon who specializes in performing surgical and non-surgical procedures involving the nervous system. Neurosurgeons commonly treat conditions such as tumors, traumatic injuries to the brain and spine, and brain and neurovascular disorders.
Neurotologist
A physician who specializes in providing advanced care for patients with neurological disorders of the ear.
Physiatrist (also called a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician)
A doctor who focuses on helping patients become as functional and pain-free as possible. Physiatrists often care for patients following stroke or spinal injury, neck/back problems and rarer disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Repetitive Nerve Stimulation (RNS)
A test where electrical stimulation is delivered to a nerve repeatedly (several times per second) to help diagnose disorders of the neuromuscular junction, including myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and botulism.
Resective brain surgery
A type of epilepsy surgery to remove the area of the brain where seizures occur.
Skull base surgery
A minimally-invasive procedure to evaluate, diagnose and treat a growth or abnormality located on the underside of the brain, the base of the skull or the upper vertebrae of the spine.
Stereotactic radiosurgery
A non-surgical type of radiation therapy used to target tumors and other neurological problems. The very narrow beams of radiation help preserve healthy tissue surrounding a tumor or other abnormality.
Vagus nerve stimulator
A device that’s implanted under the skin near the collarbone. It sends weak signals to the brain to help control seizures in patients with epilepsy.
Wada study
A study often performed before surgery for epilepsy to help pinpoint the location of speech and memory functions so that surgery does not affect these functions.