Category: I

A condition characterized by a severe, recurrent burning or aching sensation in the back of the mouth, the throat, and the ear. There may be brief episodes of very severe pain in the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth, lasting several seconds or minutes. Talking or swallowing can trigger these episodes, but the cause of…

A graphical map of the radiation dose distribution in an irradiated medium in which all points with identical doses are connected by contour lines. The graphical representation depicting the dispersion pattern of depth dose resulting from the process of irradiation.  

Measurement of tissue temperature using probes placed directly in the heated tissue.  

Delivered to internal sites that have been exposed by a surgical procedure. Following heating the patient is “closed.”  

Radiotherapy in which needles or wires that contain radioactive material are implanted directly into tumor areas.  

A device consisting of a layer of fluorescent material which is placed in contact with the film in a radiographic cassette. Radiation from a therapeutic process interacts with the fluorescent phosphor, releasing light photons. These expose the film with greater efficiency than would the radiation alone. Thus patient exposure can be reduced. In radiography, a…

Measurement of temperature through the detection of infrared radiation emitted from heated tissue.  

An electronic device used to produce a fluoroscopic image with a low radiation exposure. A beam of x rays passing through the patient is converted in a special vacuum tube into a pattern of electrons. These electrons are accelerated and concentrated onto a small fluorescent screen where they present a bright image. This is generally…

The time required to carry out an NMR imaging procedure comprising only the data acquisition time. The additional image reconstruction time will also be important to determine how quickly the image can be viewed. In comparing sequential plane imaging and volume imaging techniques, the equivalent image acquisition time per slice must be considered, as well…

A transparent, volatile, colorless liquid with disinfectant properties; also called rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is used as a solvent and disinfectant and as an antiseptic when applied to the skin. Rubbing alcohol, available over-the-counter, is a combination of 68 to 72 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. A clear flammable liquid similar to ethyl alcohol. It…