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Abdominal CT scan 02/23/2009
CT of the abdomen How the test is performed: You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Usually, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above the head. The health care provider may inject a dye into one of your veins. This helps certain diseases and organs show up better on the images. |
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Abdominal film 02/22/2009
Abdominal x-ray; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB How the test is performed: The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures. |
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Abdominal MRI scan 02/23/2009
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the abdomen is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the inside of the belly area. Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic ( CT ) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The MRI scanner contains the magnet. The magnetic field produced by an MRI is about 10 thousand times greater than the earth's. The magnetic field forces hydrogen atoms in the body to line up in a certain way (similar to how the needle on a compass moves when you hold it near a magnet). |
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Abdominal tap 08/22/2008
Peritoneal tap; Paracentesis How the test is performed: This test may be done in an office setting, treatment room, or hospital. The puncture site will be cleaned and shaved, if necessary. You then receive a local numbing medicine. The tap needle is inserted 1 - 2 inches into the abdomen. Sometimes a small cut is made to help insert the needle. The fluid is pulled out into a syringe. |
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Abdominal ultrasound 10/29/2008
Ultrasound - abdomen; Abdominal sonogram How the test is performed: An ultrasound machine creates images that allow various organs in the body to be examined. The machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which reflect off body structures to create a picture. |
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ACTH 03/18/2008
Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTH How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood. |
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Adrenalectomy 10/24/2007
Adrenal gland removal; Removal of adrenal glands How the test is performed: Adrenalectomy is a procedure that can be performed using traditional "open" surgery or less invasive laparascopic techniques. Laparoscopic procedures use smaller surgical cuts than open surgery. For the surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). |
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Albumin - serum 02/23/2009
Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. How the test is performed: A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture . The blood sample is placed in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins and separates the cells from the liquid part of the blood (the serum). How to prepare for the test: The health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test. |
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Aldosterone 03/18/2008
An aldosterone test measures the amount of the hormone aldosterone in blood. How the test is performed: Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood. Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. |
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Allergy testing 05/25/2009
Patch tests - allergy; Scratch tests - allergy; Skin tests - allergy; RAST test How the test is performed: There are many methods of allergy testing. Among the more common are: Skin tests Elimination-type tests Blood tests (including the radioallergosorbent, or RAST, test) SKIN TESTS Skin tests are the most common. Specific methods vary. One of the most common methods is the prick test. |
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