Diagnostic Procedures Flashcards
Abdominal paracentesis
Abdominal paracentesis is a simple bedside or clinic procedure in which a needle is inserted into the peritoneal cavity and ascitic fluid
(fluid build up in abdomen) is removed . Diagnostic paracentesis refers to the removal of a small quantity of fluid for testing. Therapeutic paracentesis refers to the removal of five liters or more of fluid to reduce intra-abdominal pressure and relieve the associated dyspnea (Shortness of Breath), abdominal pain, and early satiety.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (AAA repair)
An aneurysm is a bulging, weak spot in the aorta that may be at risk for rupturing. In this case, the aneurysm is in part of the aorta that is in the abdomen. Repair of an AAA may be done in one of two ways:
Open repair. For this surgery, your doctor makes a large incision in the abdomen to expose the aorta. Once he or she has opened the abdomen, a graft can be used to repair the aneurysm. Open repair remains the standard procedure for an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). This is a minimally invasive option. This means it is done without a large incision. Instead, the doctor makes a small incision in the groin. He or she will insert special instruments through a catheter in an artery in the groin and thread them up to the aneurysm. At the aneurysm, your doctor will place the stent and graft to support the aneurysm.
Acoustic neuroma removal
Also known as Vestibular schwannoma
Acoustic neuromas are noncancerous, usually slow growing tumors that form along the branches of the eighth cranial nerve (also called the vestibulocochlear nerve). This nerve leads from the brain to the inner ear and branches into divisions that play important roles in both hearing and balance.
Surgery for an acoustic neuroma is performed under general anesthesia. Surgery involves removing the tumor through the inner ear or through a window in your skull. Sometimes removing the tumor may worsen symptoms if the hearing, balance, or facial nerves are irritated or damaged during the operation.
Adrenalectomy
Surgery to remove one or both of the adrenal glands. The body’s two adrenal glands are located at the top of each kidney.
Amniocentesis
A prenatal test that takes amniotic fluid from around your baby in the uterus (also called womb).
Aneurysmectomy
Aneurysm surgery is a treatment for aortic aneurysms. A surgeon removes the damaged part of your aorta and replaces it with a synthetic fabric tube called a graft. The surgery is very effective when performed before aneurysm rupture.
Angiogram
Angiography
A scan that shows blood flow through arteries or veins, or through the heart, using X-rays, computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The blood vessels appear on the image after a contrast dye is injected into the blood, which lights up on the scan wherever it flows.
Angiography MRI
Magnetic resonance angiography–also called a magnetic resonance angiogram or MRA–is a type of MRI that looks specifically at the body’s blood vessels.
Angioplasty
Means using a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery.
Aortic aneurysm repair or removal
Aneurysm surgery is a treatment for aortic aneurysms. A surgeon removes the damaged part of your aorta and replaces it with a synthetic fabric tube called a graft. The surgery is very effective when performed before aneurysm rupture.
Appendectomy
Surgical removal of the appendix
Arterial blood gases (ABG)
An arterial blood gas (ABG) tests explicitly blood taken from an artery.
Measures the amounts of arterial gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Arteriography
An arteriogram is a procedure that produces an image of your arteries. During the procedure, your doctor will use contrast material, or dye, and X-rays to observe the flow of blood through your arteries and note any blockages.
This procedure, also known as an angiogram, can be done on many different parts of your body. The terms “arteriogram” and “angiogram” (and the related “arteriography” and “angiography”) aren’t specific to a particular part of the body. These terms simply refer to a particular method of observing your arteries.
Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis (also called joint aspiration) is a procedure where a doctor uses a needle to take fluid out of a joint. Joints are where two bones meet.
Arthroplasty, hip
Hip replacement surgery, or hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which an orthopaedic surgeon removes the diseased parts of the hip joint and replaces them with new, artificial parts.
Arthroscopy
A procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor.
Ascites fluid tap
Taking an ascitic tap (diagnostic paracentesis) involves using a needle and syringe to take a sample of ascitic fluid from a patient’s abdomen.
This procedure is used to diagnose the cause of ascites and to exclude the presence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
OSA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
LOC
Level of Consciousness
Adenocacinoma
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer. It develops in the glands that line your organs. Common forms of adenocarcinoma include breast, stomach, prostate, lung, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
Metastases
Metastasis is the term for cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
Bony Metastases
Bone metastasis occurs when cancer cells spread from their original site to a bone. Nearly all types of cancer can spread (metastasize) to the bones. But some types of cancer are particularly likely to spread to bone, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Neoplasm
An abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Benign tumors
Noncancerous neoplasms that usually grow slowly and don’t spread.
Malignant tumors
Malignant tumors are cancerous neoplasms that usually grow rapidly and invade other parts of your body.
Gonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
A complication of cervical infection that has substantial immediate and long-term consequences for women, including chronic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
COAD
Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease
A long term lung disease that has in the past also been known as ‘chronic bronchitis’, or ‘emphysema’.
NSTEMI
Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction is a type of involving partial blockage of one of the coronary arteries, causing reduced flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
Barium enema
An X-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon). The procedure is also called a colon X-ray. An enema is the injection of a liquid into your rectum through a small tube.
Barium meal
A barium meal is a diagnostic test used to detect abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach and small bowel using X-ray imaging. Patient drinks oral contrast for imaging.
Barium Swallow
Same as a Barium meal - A barium swallow or a barium meal is an X-ray that is taken during or after you have swallowed a substance called barium.
It’s done so that parts of your body show up better on the X-ray.
Barium is a chalky substance that shows up well on X-rays.
As you swallow it the barium coats the lining of your throat and oesophagus, and afterwards the inside of your stomach and upper bowel can also be seen on X-ray.
It may be done if you have trouble swallowing or have stomach pain or frequent vomiting.
Barium x-ray
Barium X-ray is a radiographic (X-ray) examination of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Barium X-rays (also called upper and lower GI series) are used to diagnose abnormalities of the GI tract, such as tumors, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions, polyps, hernias, and strictures.
Biopsy
a medical procedure that involves taking a small sample of body tissue so it can be examined under a microscope. A tissue sample can be taken from almost anywhere on or in your body, including the skin, organs and other structures.
Biopsy, bone marrow
A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a sample of bone marrow and testing it for signs of disease.
Biopsy, breast
A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of breast tissue for testing.
CNB
Core needle biopsy - uses a larger hollow needle to sample breast changes felt by the doctor or seen on an ultrasound, mammogram, or MRI.
Biopsy, endometrial
Involves removing small samples of tissue from the lining (endometrium) of your uterus (womb).
Biopsy, fine needle
This type of needle biopsy uses a thin, hollow needle to draw cells from your body.
Blood pressure measurement
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is given as 2 numbers: systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out around your body. diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart rests between beats and blood is pushed around your heart.
Blood transfusion
A common procedure in which donated blood or blood components are given to you through an intravenous line (IV). A blood transfusion is given to replace blood and blood components that may be too low.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT)
A bone marrow transplant is a medical treatment that replaces your bone marrow with healthy cells. The replacement cells can either come from your own body or from a donor.
A bone marrow transplant is also called a stem cell transplant or, more specifically, a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Transplantation can be used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma, and other blood and immune system diseases that affect the bone marrow.
Bone mineral density testing
BMD test, measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in an area of your bone.
Bone scan
A bone scan is sometimes called a radionuclide scan, bone scintigraphy or a nuclear medicine bone scan – they’re all the same thing. It is a specialized radiology procedure used to examine the various bones of the skeleton. It is done to identify areas of physical and chemical changes in bone. A bone scan may also be used to follow the progress of treatment of certain conditions. A bone scan is a type of nuclear radiology procedure.
Bone scintigraphy
A bone scan
Brachytherapy
A procedure used to treat certain types of cancer and other conditions. Brachytherapy is radiation treatment that is given directly into your body. It is placed as close to the cancer as possible. The radiation is given using tiny devices such as wires, seeds, or rods filled with radioactive materials. These devices are called implants.
Bronchoscopy
A technique used to look at your air passages with a small camera that is located at the end of a flexible tube. This connects to a video screen for the doctors to view and take photos of your air passages.
Burn debridement
Debridement is a procedure that is used to remove the dead skin (or eschar) from the burn area. This procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic in an operating theatre. The burnt area is removed to expose healthy tissue to which the skin graft will be secured.
CABG
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body (usually the chest, leg or arm) and attaching it to the coronary artery above and below the narrowed area or blockage. This new blood vessel is known as a graft.
Cardiac catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is used to study the various functions of the heart or to obtain diagnostic information about the heart or its vessels. A small incision is made in an artery or vein in the arm, neck, or groin. The catheter is threaded through the artery or vein into the heart.
Cardiac stent
Stents are tiny devices which help to keep arteries open and can save lives.
Angioplasty
Is a treatment that uses stents to improve blood flow to the heart by opening a narrowed or blocked coronary artery.
Cardiac stress test
In a stress test, you walk on a treadmill that makes your heart work progressively harder. An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors your heart’s electrical rhythms. The doctor also measures your blood pressure and monitors whether you have symptoms like chest discomfort or fatigue. Abnormalities in blood pressure, heart rate, or ECG or worsening physical symptoms could point to coronary artery disease (CAD): fatty deposits (plaques) that reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
Cardioversion
A procedure used to return an abnormal heartbeat to a normal rhythm. This procedure is used when the heart is beating very fast or irregular. This is called an arrhythmia.
The defibrillator is activated and an electric shock is delivered to your heart. This shock briefly stops all electrical activity of the heart. Then it allows the normal heart rhythm to return.
Arrhythmia
When heart is beating very fast or irregular. Arrhythmias can cause problems such as fainting, stroke, heart attack, and even sudden cardiac death.
Carotid endarterectomy
CEA - surgery to treat carotid artery disease. The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the brain. In carotid artery disease, these arteries become narrowed. This reduces blood flow to the brain and could cause a stroke.
Carpal tunnel release
A surgeon cuts through the ligament that is pressing down on the carpal tunnel. This makes more room for the median nerve and tendons passing through the tunnel, and usually improves pain and function.
Cataract removal
Cataract surgery, also called lens replacement surgery, is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed a cataract, an opaque or cloudy area. The eye’s natural lens is usually replaced with an artificial intraocular lens implant.
Catheter angiography
Doctors use angiography to diagnose and treat blood vessel diseases and conditions. Angiography examinations produce x-ray images of blood vessels throughout the body.
An Arteriogram looks at arteries
A Venogram looks at veins.
The x-ray images are created by injecting a liquid x-ray dye (an iodine based contrast media), through a thin flexible tube (catheter), into the desired blood vessel from the access point. The access point is usually via an artery in the groin, or the wrist for most procedures. The x-ray contrast media makes the blood flowing in the vessels visible on the x-ray monitor. The contrast media will be eliminated from your body in your urine, via the kidneys.
The use of a catheter makes it possible to combine diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure. Catheter angiography produces very detailed, clear and accurate pictures of the blood vessels and may eliminate the need for surgery.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a group of tests that help diagnose diseases and conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap
Also known as a Lumbar Puncture (LP)
A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is extracted from the spinal (vertebral) canal using a special needle. This fluid surrounds the brain and the spinal cord, acting as a shock absorber. After being extracted, the cerebrospinal fluid is analyzed in a laboratory. Doing so can help detect diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
Cervical cryosurgery
Also called cervical ablation, uses liquid nitrogen to treat suspicious cells.
Chemotherapy
A drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body. Many different chemotherapy drugs are available.
Cholecystectomy
A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ under your liver. It is on the upper right side of your belly or abdomen.
Cholesterol testing
Also called a lipid panel or lipid profile
Is a panel of blood tests used to find abnormalities in blood lipid concentrations. The results of this test can identify certain genetic diseases and can determine approximate risks for cardiovascular disease, certain forms of pancreatitis, and other diseases.
Closed joint aspiration
Joint aspiration is a procedure to remove fluid from the space around a joint using a needle and syringe. This is usually done under a local anesthetic to relieve swelling and/or to obtain fluid for analysis to diagnose a joint disorder or problem. Joint aspiration is most often done on the knee.
Colonoscopy
A procedure that lets your health care provider check the inside of your entire colon (large intestine). The procedure is done using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope. The tube has a light and a tiny camera on one end. It is put in your rectum and moved into your colon.
Colon polypectomy
A polypectomy is an operation to remove a polyp from inside one of your organs. Colon polyps are growths that form on the inside of your colon. They’re usually benign, but some types can become cancerous.
Colon polyp removal
Small polyps can be removed with an instrument that is inserted through the colonoscope and snips off small pieces of tissue. Larger polyps are usually removed by placing a noose, or snare, around the polyp base and burning through it with electric cautery
Colorectal resection
A bowel resection or enterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a part of an intestine is removed, from either the small intestine or large intestine. Often the word enterectomy is reserved for the sense of small bowel resection, in distinction from colectomy, which covers the sense of large bowel resection.
Colectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part or all of your colon. It’s also called colon resection surgery.
Computed tomography angiography (CTA)
A computerized tomography scan, or CT scan, is a type of X-ray that uses a computer to make cross-sectional images of your body.
Coronary angiogram
A special procedure that takes dynamic x-ray pictures of your heart. The purpose of this procedure is to see if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked and to look for abnormalities of your heart muscle or heart valves. Another term for coronary angiogram is cardiac catheterisation.
Coronary angiography
Coronary angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart. Coronary angiography is performed to detect obstruction in the coronary arteries of the heart.
Coronary arteriography
Also known as Coronary Angiogram. A special procedure that takes dynamic x-ray pictures of your heart. The purpose of this procedure is to see if your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked and to look for abnormalities of your heart muscle or heart valves. Another term for coronary angiogram is cardiac catheterisation.
CABG
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft, is a surgical procedure to treat coronary artery disease, the buildup of plaques in the arteries of the heart. It can relieve chest pain caused by CAD, slow the progression of CAD, and increase life expectancy.
Coronary artery stent
A small, metal mesh tube that is placed inside a coronary artery to help keep the artery open. To place the stent, a small sheath, plastic tube, is placed in the groin or wrist artery. A catheter is guided through the artery into the part of the coronary artery that is blocked.
CT scan, abdomen
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area.
CT scan, head
Computed tomography (CT) of the head uses special x-ray equipment to help assess head injuries, severe headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms of aneurysm, bleeding, stroke, and brain tumors. It also helps your doctor to evaluate your face, sinuses, and skull or to plan radiation therapy for brain cancer. In emergency cases, it can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives.
Cystoscopy
A procedure to look inside the bladder using a thin camera called a cystoscope. A cystoscope is inserted into the urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body) and passed into the bladder to allow a doctor or nurse to see inside.
Cystourethroscopy
A cystoscopy procedure, otherwise known as a cystourethroscopy, is used to check the health of your urethra and bladder. One of the most common procedures performed by a urologic surgeon. It allows for direct visualization of the urethra, urethral sphincter, prostate, bladder, and ureteral orifices.
D & C
Dilation and curettage (D&C) also referred to as Evacuation of the Uterus, is a minor surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the inside of the uterus.
The procedure may be performed as a day-stay procedure and can be performed under a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic with sedation.
During the procedure, the doctor stretches open (dilates) the cervix and guides a thin scoop-like surgical instrument (a curette) or a suction device into the uterus and removes uterine tissue.
Debridement
the medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue. Removal may be surgical, mechanical, chemical, autolytic (self-digestion), and by maggot therapy.
DEXA (DXA)
A DEXA scan is an imaging test that measures bone density (strength). DEXA scan results can provide helpful details about your risk for osteoporosis (bone loss) and fractures (bone breaks). This test can also measure your body composition, such as body fat and muscle mass.
Diabetic control index
The glycaemic index (GI) tells us whether a food raises blood glucose levels quickly, moderately or slowly. This means it can be useful to help you manage your diabetes.
Diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen
An abdominal ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure used to assess the organs and structures within the abdomen. This includes the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, bile ducts, spleen, and abdominal aorta. Ultrasound technology allows quick visualization of the abdominal organs and structures from outside the body.
Dialysis
Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When you have kidney failure, your kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in your bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
Doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive test that can be used to measure the blood flow through your blood vessels. It works by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off red blood cells that are circulating in the bloodstream. A regular ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images, but can’t show blood flow.
Ear tubes surgery
Ear tubes (also called myringotomy tubes or tympanostomy tubes) are very small tubes that are surgically placed in your child’s eardrum by a pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon to help treat ear infections. The purpose of the tube is to provide ventilation to the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup.
ECG
Electrocardiogram or EKG - a recording of the heart’s electrical activity through repeated cardiac cycles. It is an electrogram of the heart which is a graph of voltage versus time of the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes placed on the skin.
Echocardiogram
Uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. This common test can show blood flow through the heart and heart valves.
EKG
Electrocardiogram
EEG
Electroencephalogram - A test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time, even during asleep. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording.
EMG
Electroencephalogram - measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities.
Electrophysiology study
EP study) is a test used to evaluate your heart’s electrical system and to check for abnormal heart rhythms.
Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart. This helps keep blood flowing the way it should. This movement of the heart creates the heartbeat, or heart rhythm.
During an EP study, your doctor inserts small, thin wire electrodes into a vein in the groin (or neck, in some cases). He or she will then thread the wire electrodes through the vein and into the heart. To do this, he or she uses a special type of X-ray “movie,” called fluoroscopy. Once in the heart, the electrodes measures the heart’s electrical signals. Electrical signals are also sent through the electrodes to stimulate the heart tissue to try to cause the abnormal heart rhythm. This is done so that it can be evaluated and its cause can be found. It may also be done to help evaluate how well a medicine is working.
During the EP study, specialists in heart rhythms or an electrophysiology specialist may also map the spread of the heart’s electrical impulses during each beat. This may be done to help find the source of an abnormal heartbeat.
Endometrial biopsy
The removal of a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for examination.
Episiotomy
A cut (incision) through the area between your vaginal opening and your anus. This area is called the perineum. This procedure is done to make your vaginal opening larger for childbirth.
Excision biopsy, skin
Refers to the removal of a skin lesion by completely cutting it out.
Excretory urography
EU - type of contrast study used to verify and localize upper urinary tract disease. In some instances, information regarding renal function and disease pathophysiology can also be obtained.
Exercise tolerance test
A non-invasive procedure where you walk on a treadmill while a recording of your heart’s electrical activity is taken. The incline and the speed of the treadmill will increase every three minutes (unless otherwise stated to you) and you are encouraged to walk for as long as you can.
ESWL
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy - a noninvasive procedure that uses shock waves to break down stones in parts of the urinary system, in the pancreas and in the bile ducts.
Glaucoma
a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of your eye called the optic nerve. The symptoms can start so slowly that you may not notice them.
FOBT
Fecal occult blood test - A lab test used to check stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum — though not all cancers or polyps bleed.
Femoropopliteal bypass
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery is used to treat blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the largest artery in the thigh. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the leg. Blockage is due to plaque buildup or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in the leg arteries causes peripheral vascular disease. The same process causes heart disease and stroke.
Ischemic heart disease
Ischemic means that an organ (e.g., the heart) is not getting enough blood and oxygen. Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease, is the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart (coronary) arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
What is Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media?
Chronic suppurative otitis media, also known as chronic otitis media, isa stage of ear disease in which there is an on-going chronic infection of the middle ear without an intact tympanic membrane. This disease is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid cavity.
TM
Tempanic Membrane
The tympanic membrane is also called the eardrum. Itseparates the outer ear from the middle ear. When sound waves reach the tympanic membrane they cause it to vibrate. The vibrations are then transferred to the tiny bones in the middle ear. The middle ear bones then transfer the vibrating signals to the inner ear.
Otitis
Ear infection
FESS
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
-performed to improve the ventilation and drainage of the sinuses and to remove disease from the sinuses.
