Tests And Procedures

Question 1

Adrenal arteriography/angiography

Answer 1

Radiopaque contrast is injected into an artery to obtain information about the adrenal gland and renal system

Question 2

Adrenal Vein Catheterization

Answer 2

A catheter is inserted through the femoral vein into the adrenal Vein to withdraw blood specimen to detect the function of each adrenal gland

Question 3

CT scans

Answer 3

Transverse views of the pituitary gland and other endocrine organs that are useful in the diagnosis of pathological conditions

Question 4

Exophthalmometry

Answer 4

Measures the extent of eyeball protrusion as seen in Graves disease

Question 5

Glucose tolerance test (GTT)

Answer 5

Measures the glucose levels in a blood sample from a fasting patient (FBS or fasting blood sugar) and in specimens taken 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours after ingestion of 100 g of glucose. Delayed return of blood glucose to normal level indicates diabetes mellitus

Question 6

Long-bone x-rays

Answer 6

Series of x-rays of long bones to determine bone growth

Question 7

Magnetic resonance imaging

Answer 7

Uses magnetic fields to define normal or abnormal anatomy; may be done with or without gadolinium dye

Question 8

Needle biopsy

Answer 8

Tissue or fluid samples are removed from the body to establish a diagnosis. Done under CT or ultrasound guidance

Question 9

Radioactive iodine uptake

Answer 9

Radioactive iodine is administered orally, and its uptake into the thyroid gland is measured as evidence of thyroid function

Question 10

Radioimmunoassay (RIA)

Answer 10

Measures hormone levels in plasma. The test is based on the ability of antibodies to bind specifically to radioactively labeled hormone molecules and to nonradioactively labeled molecules

Question 11

Serum and urine tests

Answer 11

Measures hormones and other substances (electrolytes and glucose) in blood and urine as indicators of endocrine function

Question 12

Skull X-ray and tomography of the sella turcica

Answer 12

The fossa in the base of the cranium that houses the pituitary gland is x-rayed and pictures are taken in sections to show the area in depth.

Question 13

Thyroid biopsy

Answer 13

Removal of representative tissue from the thyroid gland for microscopic evaluation to establish a diagnosis

Question 14

Thyroid function tests

Answer 14

Measures the levels of T3, T4, and TSH in the bloodstream

Question 15

Thyroid scan

Answer 15

Radioactive compound is administered and localizes in the thyroid gland. The gland is then visualized with a scanner device to detect tumors or nodules