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.