Neurocritical Care Glossary

Unequal pupil sizes that may indicate neurological pathology requiring urgent evaluation.

MRI technique that measures cerebral blood flow by magnetically labeling arterial blood water as an endogenous tracer.

Acute subdural hematoma; a neurosurgical emergency requiring rapid intervention.

A 10-point scoring system for assessing early ischemic changes on non-contrast CT in acute stroke.

Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, a systematic method for evaluating early ischemic changes on CT scans in acute st...

The brain's ability to maintain constant cerebral blood flow despite changes in systemic blood pressure.

Induced deep sedation using barbiturates to reduce cerebral metabolism and intracranial pressure in refractory cases.

A standardized clinical framework for determining and documenting brain death according to established medical and legal...

Standardized clinical examination procedure to determine irreversible cessation of all brain function.

Direct measurement of oxygen partial pressure in brain parenchyma using implanted sensors, providing regional cerebral o...

Direct measurement of oxygen partial pressure in brain parenchyma, typically expressed in mmHg.

EEG pattern characterized by alternating periods of electrical activity and suppression, indicating severe brain dysfunc...

Invasive imaging procedure using contrast agent injection to visualize cerebral blood vessels.

A quantitative measure of the brain's ability to maintain constant cerebral blood flow despite changes in blood pressure...

The total volume of blood within the cerebral vasculature at any given time, typically 3-5% of total intracranial volume...

The brain's ability to accommodate changes in intracranial volume without significant pressure increases. Critical param...

The rate at which brain tissue consumes oxygen, typically measured as CMRO2. Essential parameter for assessing cerebral...

Invasive monitoring technique that samples brain extracellular fluid to assess cerebral metabolism.

The percentage of delivered oxygen that brain tissue extracts from arterial blood, calculated as OEF. Key indicator of c...

The pressure gradient driving blood flow to the brain, calculated as mean arterial pressure minus intracranial pressure.

Hyponatremic condition following brain injury characterized by excessive renal sodium loss and volume depletion.

A condition characterized by hyponatremia and volume depletion following acute brain injury, distinct from SIADH.

Pathological redistribution of cerebral blood flow away from ischemic brain regions toward areas with intact vascular re...

Brain swelling due to blood-brain barrier breakdown allowing fluid accumulation in extracellular spaces.