Ultrasound – Preganancy

Ultrasound – Preganancy Alternative Names: Obstetric ultrasound, Pelvic ultrasound A pregnancy, or obstetric, ultrasound is used to examine the abdomen, especially the growing womb (uterus) and foetus. It may be able to detect delayed growth of the foetus and other abnormalities, as well as problems with the placenta. It can also show multiple pregnancies (twins, […]

Ultrasound: Pelvis

Ultrasound: Pelvis Alternative Names: Pelvic ultrasound A pelvic ultrasound examines the pelvis and pelvic organs, such as the womb (uterus), ovaries, and bladder. It is also an aid in diagnosing appendicitis. Ultrasound is a technique that uses sound waves, which bounce off body structures, to create images on a screen. The test is performed on […]

Ultrasound: Abdomen

Ultrasound: Abdomen Alternative Names: Abdominal ultrasound An abdominal ultrasound is used to examine the abdomen and the abdominal organs, including the gall bladder, liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas. Ultrasound is a technique that uses sound waves, which bounce off body structures, to create images on a screen. The test is done on an empty stomach. […]

Tuberculin test

Tuberculin test Alternative Names: Mantoux test, TB test, Tine test, PPD skin test A tuberculin, or TB, test is performed on the skin to find out whether or not you have antibodies to tuberculosis (TB). A small amount of TB protein (antigen) is injected under the skin on your forearm. This spot is re-examined after […]

Toxicology screen

Toxicology screen Alternative Names: Drug abuse screen, Alcohol blood test, Barbiturates screen, Benzodiazepines screen, Narcotics screen, Amphetamines screen, Methanol screen A toxicology screen tests blood or urine for the presence of legal and illegal drugs. Situations in which the test may be performed are overdose, drug dependence, alcohol use and abuse, and drug use by […]

Throat swab

Throat swab Alternative Names: Throat culture A throat swab, or throat culture, identifies micro-organisms from a patient’s throat, primarily so that the doctor can prescribe the correct antibiotic. The test is done when the doctor is not sure which organism is causing a throat infection or when the infection is not responding to treatment. The […]

Thyroid function test (TSH)

Thyroid function test (TSH) Alternative Names: TSH Thyroid function tests measure the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood in order to diagnose or exclude an over-active thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis) or under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). A sample of blood is withdrawn through a needle inserted in a vein, usually in the area inside […]

Slit-lamp examination

Slit-lamp examination A slit-lamp examination is an examination of the front (anterior) parts of your eye — the cornea (clear membrane in front of the central part of the eye), the lens (part of the eye that focuses light), and the iris (the coloured part of your eye). A slit lamp, which is a special […]

Skin biopsy

Skin biopsy Alternative Names: Punch biopsy, Skin scraping During a skin biopsy, a small tissue sample is removed and sent for laboratory analysis. The test is done to assess skin damage (lesions), possibly caused by skin cancers, skin infections, or allergic and other skin rashes. A local anaesthetic is injected under the skin to numb […]

Sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy Alternative Names: Proctoscopy, Proctosigmoidoscopy A sigmoidoscopy, or protoscopy, is an examination of the inside of the rectum and the final (distal) part of the colon or large bowel. It is performed as a routine screening procedure and in suspected cases of bowel obstruction, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and […]