Abdominal CT scan 01/24/2007
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography. See also: CT scan
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.
Abdominal film 05/17/2007
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.
Abdominal MRI 01/24/2007
Nuclear magnetic resonance - abdomen; NMR - abdomen; Magnetic resonance imaging - abdomen; MRI of the abdomen
How the test is performed: You will be asked to lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-like tube. The health care provider may inject a dye through one of your veins.
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.
Abdominal ultrasound 10/23/2006
Ultrasound - abdomen; Abdominal sonogram
How the test is performed: The test is done in the ultrasound or radiology department.
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.
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).
Albumin - serum 01/22/2007
The serum albumin test measures the amount of albumin in serum, the clear liquid portion of blood.
How the test is performed: Blood is drawn from a vein ( venipuncture ) or capillary. The blood sample is placed in a centrifuge to separate the cells from the serum.
How to prepare for the test: The health care provider will advise you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may affect the test. Drugs that can increase albumin measurements include anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone , and insulin.
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.
Allergy testing 07/17/2007
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 Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) SKIN TESTS Skin tests are the most common. Specific methods vary. The scratch test, one of the most common methods, involves placing a small amount of suspected allergy-causing substances on the skin, usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back.
