Frequently used abbreviations

[ASAP Moderator]

Thank you to all the members who worked so hard to contribute, compile, and organize these abbreviations. In the world of Chiari, Syringomyelia, Ehlers-Danlos, Tethered Cord, POTS, and the multitude of other issues we live with, abbreviations fly through the site. Getting to know them may help members both type and read messages more quickly and save time.

abx = antibiotics

B12 DEF = Vitamin B12 deficiency/pernicious anemia
BI = Basilar impression or basilar invagination
http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/66/3/357
http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/p ... hiari2.asp

b/t = "break through" (pain)

CCI = craniocervical instability
CCF = cranio cervical fusion
CM = Chiari Malformation
http://www.ASAP.org/

CPS = Central Pain Syndrome http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cent ... l_pain.htm

CSF = cerebral spinal fluid
CST = Cranial Sacral Therapy
http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/CSTA_home.html

CTO = cervical thoracic orthosis (a vest that goes with an Aspen collar)
http://www.alsab.ca/equipment/collars.aspx

DDD = Degenerative Disc Disease
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/d ... gen01.html

Dr. M = Dr. Arnold Menezes at University of Iowa
http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/n ... nezes.html

Dr. M = Dr. Thomas Milhorat at TCI (founder)
http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?ID=6465

Dr. B = Dr. Paolo Bolognese at TCI
http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?ID=6466

Dr. B = Dr. Ulrich Batzdorf
http://www.healthcare.ucla.edu/institut ... el_id=7831

Dr. F = Dr. David Frim in Chicago
http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/david-frim.html

Dr. G = Dr. Barth Green in Miami
http://www.miamiproject.miami.edu/x350.xml

Dr. E = Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, Seattle
http://depts.washington.edu/neurosur/fa ... bogen.html

dx = diagnosis, diagnosed

EDS = Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
http://www.ednf.org/

ER = Emergency Room

Fibro = fibromyalgia (see also FMS)
http://www.fmnetnews.com/

FM = foramen magnum
FMS = fibromyalgia syndrome
http://www.fmaware.org/

frx (or fx) = fracture

HA = headache

I/C = insurance company
ICP = intracranial pressure
http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/paed- ... ssure.html

ICT = Invasive craniocervical traction
IICP = increased intracranial pressure
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 000793.htm

LP = lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
http://www.webmd.com/brain/Lumbar-Puncture

LPS = lumbar peritoneal shunt
LOC = loss of consciousness

MVA = motor vehicle accident

NIH = The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
http://www.nih.gov/

NL = neurologist
http://www.neurotraumaregistry.com/Inde ... istdef.htm

NS or NSG = neurosurgeon
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art ... lekey=4556

OMD = Oriental Medical Doctor
OTC = over the counter (medication)
OTC = Occult Tethered Cord (see also TCS)
OTFT = Occult Tight Filum Terminale

PCP = Primary Care Physician
PFD = posterior fossa decompression
http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/p ... hiari2.asp

PRN = Pro re nata, a medical term for "As the situation arises." Used by
doctors/nurses with medication, to mean, "As needed."

PST = pre surgerical testing
pt = patient
PT = physical therapy
PTC = pseudotumor cerebri
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pseu ... erebri.htm

PTP = primary treating physician
PTS or PTSM = post-traumatic syringomyelia
http://www.craighospital.org/SCI/rehabNeurosurgery.asp

Rx = prescribed or prescription

SB = spina bifida
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spin ... bifida.htm

SFT = Section Filum Terminale (see OTFT or TCS)

SM = syringomyelia
http://www.syringo.org/

SSDI = Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI = Supplemental Security Income
sx = symptoms

TCI = The Chiari Institute in Great Neck, NY
http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?ID=6407

TCS = Tethered Cord Syndrome
http://www.muhealth.org/~neuromed/tetheredcord.shtml

TENS = Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator
http://arthritis.about.com/od/assistive ... nsunit.htm

TFS = Tight Filum Syndrome
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract

TMJ = Temporomandibular joint
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/temporom ... cle_em.htm

TOS = Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/Nor ... drome.html

tx = treatment

VPS = ventriculoperitoneal shunt
http://www.umm.edu/surgeries/ventriperishunt_1.html


COMPUTER SHORT-HAND AND TEXT MESSAGING:

b/c = because
BTDT = been there done that
btw = by the way
DH = dear husband
DW = dear wife
DD = dear son (you get the idea...)
HTH = hope this helps
IMHO = in my honest opinion
IMO = in my opinion
JIC - Just in case
JK = just kidding
KWIM = Know what I mean?
LMBO = laughing my butt off
LOL = laugh out loud
NCC = No Chiari Content
PMP = peeing my pants (from laughing)
ROFL = rolling on the floor laughing
OT = Off Topic
ttyl = talk to you later
TY = thank you
YW = you're welcome

PM = "private message" used on the message board by clicking on the PM symbol at the bottom of the messaging window.