Glossary of Terms

Analgesic: A drug that alleviates pain without causing sedation or loss of consciousness

Anesthesia: A drug that blocks pain impulses from nerves.  With general anesthesia you are unconscious, or asleep.  With local anesthesia you are conscious, or awake.

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a painless radiologic tool to view bodily structures, organs, or tumors such as the uterus and fibroid tumors.

Ultrasound: A common tool used by physicians such as gynecologists and radiologists that is similar to sonar to view internal structures, organs, or tumors such as the uterus and fibroid tumors.  It uses sound waves and is safe, painless, and excellent for viewing the uterus and fibroid tumors.

Trans-abdominal: Either penetrating or looking through the abdomen

Intra-abdominal: Inside the abdominal cavity

Insufflation: Placement of harmless gas such as CO2 inside the abdominal cavity to elevate the abdominal wall, allowing visualization of and access to abdominal/pelvic structures.

Scope: A small tube with a camera lens for observation.

Laparoscopic: A procedure that is done via a scope (called a laparoscope) which allows visualization of pelvic and abdominal structures.

Hysteroscopic: A procedure that is done via a scope (called a hysteroscope) which allows visualization of the inside of the uterine cavity.

Fibroid: A very common muscle cell tumor that grows in the wall of the uterus.  It often causes increased bleeding and pain with menstrual periods.

RF (Radio Frequency) Ablation: A method of destroying abnormal tissue through heat caused by an electrical current in the radio frequency wavelength