Breast needle biopsy
Breast needle biopsy Alternative Names: Needle biopsy A breast, or needle, biopsy is used to see whether a breast lump is cancerous or not. After you have been given a local anaesthetic, a biopsy needle is inserted into the lump and a small sample of fluid and tissue is withdrawn. The sample is sent to […]
Bone scan
Bone scan Alternative Names: Bone scintigraphy A bone scan is a nuclear medicine test in which radioactive material is injected into the body, allowing it to accumulate in the bone. An image is then taken (using special cameras) of the skeleton, detecting different areas of metabolism in the bone. This may aid in the diagnosis […]
Bone densitometry
Bone densitometry Alternative Names: Bone density test, Bone mineral density test A bone scan is a test that measures the density (thickness) of bones, either by using the hip or spine (central test) or a peripheral bone such as the heel (peripheral test). It is usually done when osteoporosis (a condition in which there is […]
Blood culture test
Blood culture test A blood culture is a test to determine if micro-organisms (usually bacteria) are present in a person’s blood and what kind they are, so that they can be treated with an appropriate antibiotic. The test is done when doctors suspect that a patient has serious and widespread blood infections (such as bacteraemia […]
Barium swallow
Barium swallow Alternative Names: Upper GI study A barium swallow, or upper GI study, is a type of X-ray used to create images of the oesophagus and stomach in order to determine the causes of, for example, heartburn, stomach pain, swallowing difficulty, and possible stomach ulcers and cancers. Before the X-ray, you drink a chalky-tasting […]
Barium enema
Barium enema Alternative Names: Lower GI study A barium enema, or lower GI study, is a type of X-ray that uses barium, which shows up on X-rays, to create images of the rectum and colon. This test is used to investigate abnormalities such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits. These abnormalities […]
Angiogram: Heart
Angiogram: Heart Alternative Names: Arteriogram, Cardiac angiogram, Cardiac catheterisation, Cardiac angiography A cardiac angiogram, or ateriogram, is a test to observe the heart and the blood vessels supplying the heart (coronary arteries), and to perform certain procedures (e.g. angioplasty in which coronary arteries are dilated). It is usually performed in cases of chest pain, angina […]
Angiogram: Brain
Angiogram: Brain Alternative Names: Cerebral angiogram, Carotid angiography A cerebral, or carotid, angiogram is a test that shows the blood vessels of the neck, head, and brain in people who have, or may have had, a stroke or mini-stroke (Transient Ischaemic Attack), an abnormal brain scan, a brain tumour, or an aneurysm (a weakened area […]
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis Alternative Names: Amniotic fluid test, Amniotic cell culture Amniocentesis tests the amniotic fluid in the uterus around the foetus in order to detect chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. Down’s syndrome), defects in the spine (e.g. Spina Bifida), some rare inherited disorders, and blood-group problems (e.g. Rhesus incompatibility). Ultrasound, an imaging technique that uses sound waves, shows […]