Diagnostic tests

Diagnostic tests
Reasons for medical tests
To confirm or exclude a proposed diagnosis
To screen for disease
To screen for the presence of risk factors
To monitor the course of al illness
To monitor the effect of treatment
1
Categories of patients
Those with signs and symptoms of a specific
illness or condition and the test will either confirm
or exclude a diagnosis.
Broad screening tests for patients who have non
specific symptoms or present with vague signs of
illness eg FBE.
Screening tests for patients with no signs or
symptoms . The test aims to detect the presence
of disease before it has manifested (eg PSA) or
identify risk factors (eg elevated cholesterol).
2
pathology
Is the collection of specimens such as blood,
tissue, body fluids and using laboratory tests to
find the abnormal values/ structure etc.
Histology of tissue
System / organ functions
Immunity , infection, autoimmunity
Genetics- chromosomal DNA
Drug monitoring
Cancer markers
3
Diagnostic imaging
X –Ray- with or without contrast,
video
Scans
.
4
5
6
MRI- combination of large magnets,
radiofrequencies and a computer
7
Ultrasound – high frequency sound
waves and a computer are used to
create an image.
8
Scans-Nuclear – small amounts of
radioactive substances are used.
9
ECG – study the hearts electrical
activity
10
EEG-study of the brain’s electrical
activity
11
scopes
Many of the scopes today are fiber optics which allows
the catheter to be flexible
These instruments can be inserted into organs and
cavities.
The structure/s are either observed directly or viewed on
a screen.
Dyes and X-Rays can also be used
12
Respiratory system diagnostic
tests
http://mips.stanford.edu/
research/quon/
Bronchoscopy
A fiber optic endoscope
is inserted into the
bronchus
The patient is fasted
and sedated
13
14
bronchoscopy
Tumors or bronchial cancer
Airway obstructions and or strictures
Inflammation and infections such as tuberculosis,
pneumonia, or fungal or parasitic lung infections.
Interstitial pulmonary disease
Persistent cough or haemoptysis
Biopsy of tissue or collection of other specimens,
such as sputum
Vocal cord analysis
15
16
Bronchoscopy -therapeutic
Removal of secretions, blood, mucus plugs, or
polyps (growths) to clear airways.
Control bleeding in the bronchi
Removal of foreign objects or other obstructions
Laser therapy or brachytherapy (radiation
treatment) for bronchial tumors.
Stent placement ( a device used to keep the
airway open)
Draining of an abscess
17
Bronchoscopy complications
Bleeding
Infection
Bronchial perforation
Bronchospasm or laryngospasm
Pneumothorax
18
Lung biopsies
Types
Needle biopsy- under CT or fluoroscopy guidance
Transbronchial biopsy- via bronchoscope
Thoracoscopic biopsy or video – assisted thoracic
surgery (VATS) biopsy- after a general anesthetic is
given, an endoscope is inserted through the chest wall
into the chest cavity.
In addition therapeutic procedures such as the removal
of a nodule or other tissue lesion my be performed.
Open biopsy- after a general anesthetic is given, the
physician makes an incision in the skin on the chest and
surgically removes a piece of lung tissue.
19
20
Lung perfusion and / or
ventilation scans
A dye is either
Injected into a vein and the blood flow to the lungs and
the alveoli is observed (perfusion)
This test shows pulmonary embolism or
Inhaled into the lungs to assess the ventilation
capabilities of the lungs.
21
22
23
Thoracentesis
Is the removal of effusion from the pleural space
for
Diagnosis purposes- infection, malignancy
Therapeutic purposes – remove excess fluid, to
re-expand the lung
Performed under local anesthetic
Post Procedure check
Vital signs especially respiratory rate and cough
Watch for signs of distress , shock and bleeding
dressing
24
Thoracentesis photo
25
Cardiovascular diagnostic
procedures
26
bloods
FBE
U&E’s
Tropinin levels
Group and cross match
27
FBE
Haemoglobin (Hb)
Red Cells
Number
Shape – eg sickle cell,
spherocytes, pencil cells,
ovalocytes
Size – normo- micro- macro-cytic
Colour –normo- hypo- chromic
White cell count and
differentiation
Platelet count
28
Urea and electrolytes
Urea is formed in the liver from the
by products of protein metabolism.
The levels will be raised if the
kidney filtration rate is less than 50
% of normal.
Other causes of raised urea are
Diet high in protein
Loss of salt and water eg vomiting ,
diarrhoea
Decreased blood flow to the
kidneys eg CCF
Low levels can be due to
Severe liver damage
Poisoning
29
electrolytes
Acid –base balance
Normal 7.4
Acidic 7.36
Alkaline 7.44
Water sodium balance
Electrolytes
Sodium
Chloride
Calcium
potassium
Bicarbonate
Magnesium
30
Tropinin
Tropinin is a part of muscle
There are two types that are
found only in cardiac
muscle.
If the level of these is raised
then there has been some
damage to the myocardium
–AMI
There may be mild elevation
in severe unstable angina
31
Bone marrow biopsy
Reasons for doing
Diagnose certain conditions
Assess the stage or progression
of certain conditions
monitor treatment of certain
conditions
Procedure
Intravenous (IV) sedation
Local aesthesia
Complications
Bleeding
Infection
32
Cardiac catheter
A cardiac catheter is
performed to view the
obstructed coronary blood
vessels.
The patient is awake but
sedated.
A dye is injected to show
the blood vessels.
Complications
Bleeding
Angina
AMI
33
Electrocardiograph - ECG
Views the conduction of the
heart
The tracing shows PQRST
formation
P wave = depolarization of
the atria
QRS = depolarization of the
ventricle
T wave = depolarization of
the ventricle
34
Echocardiograph
Uses ultrasound and computer technology to crate an
image of blood flow through the heart.
It can be done through the chest wall or via the
oesophagus ( posterior view of the heart).
If done via the oesophagus the patient is to be fasted and
sedated.
35
Electrocardiograph - ECG
One small square is 0.04
seconds.
One large square ( 5 small
squares) is 0.2
Damage or malfunction of
the heart can be observed
in an ECG.
Also the heart can be
calculated.
36
Doppler
A Doppler uses sound
waves to study the flow
and rate of blood
through vessels .
It can depict alterations
to the flow of blood
through vessels
(blockages)
37
Angiograms and venograms
Dyes are injected into
arteries or veins to highlight
the flow of blood through the
vessels.
The vessels can be
anywhere in the body.
http://www.ohioheartandvas
cular.com/cvprocedures/car
diac-catheterization.php
(great site to view the dye in
arteries of heart)
38
Nervous system diagnostic
procedures
39
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
Reasons for performing
Meningitis and encephalitis
Metastatic tumors and central
nervous system tumors.
Syphilis
Bleeding (hemorrhaging) in the
brain and spinal cord.
Multiple sclerosis.
Guillain-Barre, a demyleinating
disease involving peripheral
sensory and motor nerves
40
41
Lumbar puncture
Post procedure
Lay flat for 4-6 hours
Neurological observations and
Check wound site (dressing)
Lumbar puncture headaches typically begin within two
days after the procedure and persist form a few days to
several weeks or months.
Complications
Infection
Bleeding or CSF discharge from site of entry
Numbness to legs and lower back pain
42
myelogram
During a lumbar puncture a dye is
injected into the subarachnoid space
Reasons for procedure
Herniated discs
Spinal cord or brain tumors
Ankylosing spondylisis
Bone spurs
Arthritic discs
Cysts – benign capsules that may be
filled with fluid or solid matter tearing
away or injury of spinal nerve roots
Aracnoiditis – inflammation of
arachnoid mater.
http://video.about.com/backandneck/
Myelography.htm
43
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Observes the electrical activity of the brain.
Reasons for procedure
Diagnosis of epilepsy or brain injury
To assess conditions and diseases that affect the brain.
44
45
Urinary system diagnostic
procedures
Glomerular filtration rate measures the volume of
blood filtered by the Glomerular membrane to
form the Glomerular filtrate .
Blood flow
Blood pressure
The number of functioning glomeruli
Permeability of the glomerular membrane
Back pressure in the tubules.
Still most used to determine kidney function.
Declines as we get older
46
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
is the amount of filtrate formed by both kidneys per
minute; in a normal adult, it is about 125 ml/minute. This
amounts to 180 liters per day.
47
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
48
Serum urate
Uric acid is the breakdown
of purine components
(guanidine and adenine) of
the nucleic acids
1/3 derived from the diet
(meat and meat products)
2/3 derived from turnover of
body cells
Can also be measured from
24 hour urinary specimen.
49
urea
Urea is the end product
of protein metabolism.
Urea levels rise with
High protein diets
Excessive tissue
breakdown
GI bleeding
50
creatinine
Creatinine is the product of creatine metabolism
in muscle
Blood levels depend closely on GFR
Creatinine levels are proportionate to muscle
mass
If the blood value doubles then renal function has
probably fallen to half normal state
Can also be measured by doing a 24 hour urine
creatinine clearance test.
51
Cystoscopy
Internal view of the
bladder.
The patient is sedated.
Often a biopsy is taken
52
Retrograde pyelogram
Performed during a Cystoscopy.
A dye is inserted into the ureters via a small catheter
X-ray is taken to view the kidneys , ureters and bladder
53
Retrograde pyleogram
54
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
A dye is inserted into a
vein.
As the dye passes
through the urinary
system X- Rays are
taken.
To ensure clarity of the
X-ray images the bowel
needs to be empty.
55
Gastrointestinal diagnostic
procedures
56
Barium
Barium is a radio-opaque substance that is used to
highlight the gastrointestinal tract
It can be given as a swallow, meal or enema
To enhance the X- Rays the patient usually needs to
have an empty gastrointestinal system.
The introduction of air into the area with the barium also
improves the X-Ray image
57
Barium enema
58
Endoscope - gastroscopy
Are used to perform diagnostic
procedures and also therapeutic
procedures.
Gastroscopy
The patient is to fast
Light anesthetic given
Reasons for procedure
Anemia – bleeding from unknown
source
Epigastric pain or indigestion
Swallowing difficulties
Biliary tree disease
59
Endoscope
60
Colonoscopy reason for
procedure
Diagnosis of disease process eg, ulcerative colitis,
diverticulitis
Checking condition of polyps – biopsy
Assessing possible cause of anaemia (GI bleeding)
Investigate cause of frequent diarrhoea, bleeding ,
change in bowel habits - biopsy
61
Preparation for procedure
No consuming of solid food for 24-48 hours prior to
procedure . Can have clear fluids such as broth, jellies,
Fast 8-10 hours prior to procedure
Bowel cleansing day before procedure –cathartic (eg.
Fleet, politely) may be required.
62
Colonoscopy
Complications
Perforation of intestinal wall
Heavy bleeding due to the removal of the polyp
or from the biopsy site (rare)
Infections (extremely rare)
Patients with artificial or abnormal heart valves
are usually given antibiotics before and after the
procedure to prevent an infection.
63
colonoscopy
64
Endoscopy
Find photos of
Reflux oesophagitis
Angio – dysplasia
Pseudo- polyposis
Colon cancer
65
Endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancratography ERCP
66
Endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography
ERCP
Is used for diagnosing and treating disease of the
pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts.
An endoscope is inserted to the duodenum and a dye
injected into the pancreatic duct and common bile duct.
Then an X-ray is taken
67
Abdominal paracentesis
Is the removal of accumulated fluid form the
peritoneal cavity.
A needle is inserted into the abdominal cavity
and it may be connected to a collecting bag.
Done under local anesthetic. A sedative may be
needed.
The drainage of fluid may take time. It should not
be removed too quickly as it may cause shock
and collapse.
68
69