Medical dictionary

What is cryotherapy? Cryotherapy is a treatment used to eliminate certain superficial skin lesions. It involves freezing the tissue in order to destroy it. Treatment is not painful as such but it does produce a stinging and burning sensation, so a local anaesthetic may be required for very sensitive areas. Why is it used? Cryotherapy may be used to remove warts and to destroy preca

What is cryotherapy? Cryotherapy is a relatively new, minimally invasive treatment used to treat prostate and kidney cancer. By undergoing cryotherapy, you can avoid open surgery or radiotherapy. It can also be used as secondary treatment if the surgery or radiotherapy fails. This technique uses ultrafine needles, similar to those used in biopsies, to deliver very cold gases to destroy cancer.

What is a CSF leak? A CSF leak, or cerebrospinal fluid leak, is a serious condition where there is a hole in the dura, the membrane which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, causing the clear fluid inside to leak out. This fluid is responsible for protecting the brain and spinal cord. A loss of cerebrospinal fluid in the spine reduces pressure in the brain and can cause headaches. It can al

What is a CT scan?   A computerised tomography (CT) scan, also known as a CAT scan, works by combining numerous X-ray images that are taken from different angles and processing them through a computer to produce a cross-sectional image of different parts of the body. These images are in black and white.    CT scans can be used to take images of bones, blood vessels and s

What is a CT urography? A CT urography is a scanning technique which uses contrast material and imaging to show if there is blood in the urine and also to show kidney or bladder stones or cancer in the urinary tract, using a CT scanner to guide the process. The CT scanner produces images of cross-sections of the urinary tract and bladder which when assembled create a mu

What is cubital tunnel syndrome? Cubital tunnel syndrome (a form of ulnar nerve entrapment or ulnar neuropathy) is a condition in which the ulnar nerve becomes trapped or compressed. This nerve runs from your neck, through the elbow, to your hand, connecting to the little finger and half of the ring finger. It is the largest nerve in the body unprotected by muscle or bone, and due to its relati

What is Cushing's syndrome? Cushing's syndrome is a rare, progressive disease that occurs due to chronic and excessive production of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is naturally synthesised (produced) in the human body by the adrenal glands and helps with regulating blood pressure, converting food into energy, controlling the immune system’s inflammatory response and handling str

What is CyberKnife? CyberKnife is a robotics system for performing radiotherapy invented by American neurosurgeon John R. Adler. It is unique due to its precision when treating tumours, allowing higher doses of radiation to be accurately delivered to the tumour, while minimising damage to the surrounding tissue and requiring fewer treatment sessions than conventional radiotherapy. &

What is analysed? Cyclosporine analysis involves measuring the concentration of cyclosporine in the blood to monitor its levels in patients undergoing cyclosporine therapy. What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of cyclosporine in the bloodstream. It helps assess the drug's therapeutic levels and potential toxicity. Why undergo the analysis? Cyclos