Neuro Radiology Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
colloid cyst
Benign cystic lesion typically located in the third ventricle that can cause intermittent hydrocephalus.
pseudotumor cerebri
Condition of increased intracranial pressure without identifiable cause, also called idiopathic intracranial hypertensio...
RAPID software
Automated imaging analysis platform that processes CT perfusion data to calculate stroke core and penumbra volumes for t...
rCBF
Regional cerebral blood flow measured in neuroimaging studies to assess brain perfusion and metabolism.
restricted diffusion
Impaired water molecule movement appearing bright on DWI and dark on ADC maps, indicating cellular injury.
rim enhancement
Peripheral ring-like contrast uptake pattern typically seen in abscesses, necrotic tumors, or cystic lesions.
SPACE sequence
Three-dimensional turbo spin echo sequence providing high-resolution isotropic imaging with excellent tissue contrast.
stent retriever
Self-expanding neurovascular device used for mechanical thrombectomy that captures and removes blood clots from cerebral...
STIR
Short TI Inversion Recovery - an MRI sequence that suppresses fat signal to enhance visualization of pathology.
subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
Benign tumor arising near ventricular wall, typically associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.
susceptibility artifact
MRI image distortion caused by magnetic field inhomogeneities near air-tissue interfaces or metallic objects.
susceptibility blooming
Artifact on gradient echo sequences causing hemorrhage or calcification to appear larger than actual size.
susceptibility-weighted imaging
MRI sequence highly sensitive to blood products, calcifications, and iron deposits using magnetic susceptibility differe...
SWAN sequence
Susceptibility-weighted angiography sequence that enhances visualization of venous structures and hemorrhagic lesions.
T1-weighted imaging
MRI sequence emphasizing T1 relaxation properties, providing excellent anatomical detail and contrast enhancement.
T2-weighted imaging
MRI sequence that highlights fluid-containing structures by emphasizing T2 relaxation properties of tissues.
TICI
Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale, used to grade arterial recanalization success following endovascular stroke t...
TOF MRA
Time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography, a non-contrast technique for visualizing blood vessels using flow-related...
tractography
Computational technique that reconstructs white matter fiber pathways using diffusion tensor imaging data.
vasogenic edema
Brain swelling caused by increased capillary permeability allowing fluid to accumulate in white matter.
venous sinus thrombosis
Thrombotic occlusion of cerebral venous sinuses causing impaired venous drainage and potential hemorrhagic infarction.
ventricular shunt
Surgically implanted drainage system used to treat hydrocephalus by diverting cerebrospinal fluid from brain ventricles.
ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Surgical device that drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from brain ventricles to the peritoneal cavity.
vertebral dissection
Separation of the layers within the vertebral artery wall, creating a false lumen that can compromise blood flow or caus...
vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Reduced blood flow in the posterior circulation causing brainstem and cerebellar symptoms.