Ch. 10 Diagnostic procedures of the nervous system

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography

facilitates examination of soft tissues of the brain and spinal cord

Functional MRI

Detects changed in blood flow in the brain when a patient is asked to perform a specific task

Carotid Ultrasonography

Ultrasound study of the carotid artery to detect plaque buildup or to diagnose a stroke. 

Electroencephalography

Recording electrical activity of the brain through the use of electrodes attached to the scalp. 

Echoencephalography

Use of ultrasound imaging to create a visual image of the brain for diagnostic purposes. 

Myelography

radiographic study of the spinal cord; requires contrast medium through lumbar puncture

Electromyography

uses electrodes taped to the skin to measure transfer of electrical signals in peripheral nerves to the muscles

Lumbar puncture

insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region to withdraw a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid

Hypnotic medication

depresses the central nervous system and produces sleep.

Anticonvulsant medication

prevents seizures and/or convulsions

barbiturates

are a class of drugs producing a depressed or calming effect on the central nervous system.

sedatives

depress the central nervous system to produce calm and diminished responsiveness; they don’t induce sleep

anesthesia

creates an absence of normal sensation, especially sensitivity to pain.

topical anesthesia

numbs only the tissue surface

local anesthesia

causes loss of sensation in a limited area by injection near that area.

regional anesthesia

is injected near nerves to be blocked interrupting nerve signaling and numbing everything in that region

epidural

a regional anesthesia injected into the epidural space of the lumbar or sacral region of the spine; it numbs the nerves of the uterus and birth passage

spinal anesthesia

a region anesthesia injected into the subarachnoid space and provides numbness from toes to waist or lower chest

general anesthesia

causes a total loss of body sensation and consciousness

lobotomy

is the surgical removal of a portion of the brain; treats brain cancer or seizure disorders that are not controlled with medication

thalamotomy

is a surgical incision into the thalamus

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

passes small amounts of electric current through the brain triggering a brief seizure in an attempt to reverse the symptoms of certain mental illnesses

Neuroplasty

is the surgical repair of nerves

Neurorrhaphy

is surgically suturing together ends of a severed nerve

Neurotomy

is a surgical division or dissection of a nerve