DCI
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Delayed cerebral ischemia |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Writing & Everyday |
DCI has two meanings. It stands for Delayed cerebral ischemia (neurology) or Detective Chief Inspector (title and honorific).
Meanings of DCI at a glance
| # | DCI stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delayed cerebral ischemia | Medical › Neurology |
| 2 | Detective Chief Inspector | Writing & Everyday › Title and Honorific |
1. Delayed cerebral ischemia
Medical · Neurology Abbreviations
New neurological worsening or infarction occurring days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, typically between days 4 and 14, often related to vasospasm of brain arteries but also to microvascular dysfunction. It is a major cause of death and disability among survivors of the initial bleed.
Example: Day 7 post-SAH: new left arm drift and confusion, suspect DCI; CTA and perfusion ordered.
Patients are monitored closely in the neurocritical care unit with frequent exams and transcranial Doppler. Oral nimodipine is the only drug shown to improve outcomes, though it does not clearly prevent angiographic vasospasm. Treatment of established DCI includes maintaining adequate fluid volume, raising blood pressure and endovascular therapy such as balloon angioplasty or intra-arterial vasodilators.
2. Detective Chief Inspector
Writing & Everyday · Title and Honorific Abbreviations · also used in government
Senior British detective rank, often held by the officer leading a major investigation such as a murder inquiry. It is familiar internationally from British crime dramas.
Example: DCI Harper confirmed that two men had been arrested in connection with the stabbing.
UK detective ranks rise from detective constable (DC) to detective sergeant (DS), detective inspector (DI), detective chief inspector and detective superintendent. A DCI often serves as senior investigating officer on a murder case. In the US, DCI meant Director of Central Intelligence, the head of the intelligence community until that post was replaced in 2005.
Related abbreviations
More neurology abbreviations
- CVA – Cerebrovascular accident
- CVST – Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
- DAI – Diffuse axonal injury
- DBS – Deep brain stimulation
- DLB – Dementia with Lewy bodies
- DMD – Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- DMT – Disease-modifying therapy
- DTN – Door-to-needle time
See all 131 neurology abbreviations →
More title and honorific abbreviations
- Bt. – Baronet
- CBE – Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Cllr – Councillor
- DBE – Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Del. – Delegate
- Dep. – Deputy
- Det. – Detective
- DI – Detective Inspector
See all 54 title and honorific abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.