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Traumatic Brain Injury Case Study - GlossaryBrainstem Contusion - the portion of the brain comprising the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the mesencephalon. A contusion is a bruise.
Computerized tomography (CT)- an x-ray technique that produces a film representing a detailed cross section of tissue structure.
Fourth ventricle (brain) - a normal cavity of the brain enclosed between the cerebellum dorsally and the rhombencephalic tegmentum ventrally.
Glasgow coma scale - used in determining patient responsiveness by rating verbal performance, motor responsiveness, and opening of the eyes. A score of 7 or less qualifies as being in a coma state. A score of 14 indicates no impairment.
Negative inspiratory force (NIF) - the maximal inspiratory force generated with the airway occluded. Reflects inspiratory muscle strength.
Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) - an addition of positive airway pressure at the end of the exhalation phase. PEEP increases the baseline pressure above the ambient pressure level.
Pressure control ventilation (PC) - an assist/control mode of ventilation which limits the positive pressure applied during inspiration to a preset level. The inspiratory time or I:E ratio is also determined by the operator.
Pressure support ventilation (PS) - a mode of spontaneous breathing at a set amount of positive pressure provided during inspiration. The patient initiates all positive pressure breaths. Tidal volume varies with the patient's compliance and level of preset positive pressure.
Pulmonary contusion - is a lesion seen after severe blunt chest injury which is produced by a direct and sudden impact of the lung with the chest wall. The impact of the lung with the chest wall causes a disruption of the microvasculature with interstitial extravasation of red cells and plasma flooding the alveoli locally, i.e. a bruise.
Synchronized intermitttent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) - a mode of mechanical ventilation in which the patient receives a fixed number of mandatory breaths that may be triggered by the patient. Any breaths the patient takes over the fixed rate (SIMV rate) are spontaneous.
Ventilatory drive - the biochemical, neurologically-mediated stimulus to breathe.
