Diagnostic Procedures
Diagnostic Procedures
Procedure | Body Area or Sample Tested | Description |
Amniocentesis | Fluid from the sac surrounding the fetus | Analysis of fluid, removed by a needle inserted through the abdominal wall, to detect an abnormality in the fetus |
Arteriography (angiography) | Any artery in the body, commonly in the brain, heart, kidneys, aorta, or legs | X-ray study using radiopaque dye injected through a thin tube (catheter), which is threaded to the artery being studied, to detect and outline or highlight a blockage or defect in an artery |
Audiometry | Ears | Assessment of the ability to hear and distinguish sounds at specific pitches and volumes using headphones |
Auscultation | Heart | Listening with a stethoscope for abnormal heart sounds |
Barium x-ray studies | Esophagus, stomach, intestine, or rectum | X-ray study to detect ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities |
Biopsy | Any tissue in the body | Removal and examination of a tissue sample under a microscope to check for cancer or another abnormality |
Blood pressure measurement | Usually an arm | Test for high or low blood pressure, usually using an inflatable cuff wrapped around the arm |
Blood tests | Usually a blood sample from an arm | Measurement of substances in the blood to evaluate organ function and to help diagnose and monitor various disorders |
Bone marrow aspiration | Hipbone or breastbone | Removal of a bone marrow sample by a needle for examination under a microscope to check for abnormalities in blood cells |
Bronchoscopy | Airways of the lungs | Direct examination with a viewing tube to check for a tumor or other abnormality |
Cardiac catheterization | Heart | Study of heart function and structure using a catheter inserted into a blood vessel and threaded to the heart |
Chorionic villus sampling | Placenta | Removal of a sample for examination under a microscope to check for abnormalities in the fetus |
Chromosomal analysis | Blood | Examination under a microscope to detect a genetic disorder or to determine a fetus’s sex |
Colonoscopy | Large intestine | Direct examination with a viewing tube to check for a tumor or other abnormality |
Colposcopy | Cervix | Direct examination of the cervix with a magnifying lens |
Computed tomography (CT) | Any part of the body | Computer-enhanced x-ray study to detect structural abnormalities |
Cone biopsy | Cervix | Removal and examination of a cone-shaped piece of tissue, usually using a heated wire loop or a laser |
Culture | A sample from any area of the body (usually a fluid such as blood or urine) | Growth and examination of microorganisms from the sample to identify infection with bacteria or fungi |
Dilation and curettage (D and C) | Cervix and uterus | Examination of a sample under a microscope to check for abnormalities in the uterine lining using a small, sharp instrument (curet). |
Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) | Skeleton, focusing on specific regions, usually the hip, spine, and wrist | Low-dose x-ray study to determine the thickness of bones |
Echocardiography | Heart | Study of heart structure and function using sound waves |
Electrocardiography (ECG) | Heart | Study of the heart’s electrical activity using electrodes attached to the arms, legs, and chest |
Electroencephalography (EEG) | Brain | Study of the brain’s electrical function using electrodes attached to the scalp |
Electromyography | Muscles | Recording of a muscle’s electrical activity using small needles inserted into the muscle |
Electrophysiologic testing | Heart | Test to evaluate rhythm or electrical conduction abnormalities using a catheter inserted into a blood vessel and threaded to the heart |
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) | Biliary tract | X-ray study of the biliary tract done after injection of a radiopaque dye and using a flexible viewing tube |
Endoscopy | Digestive tract | Direct examination of internal structures using a flexible viewing tube |
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) | Usually blood | Test that involves mixing the sample of blood with substances that can trigger allergies (allergens) or with microorganisms to test for the presence of specific antibodies |
Fluoroscopy | Digestive tract, heart, or lungs | A continuous x-ray study that enables a doctor to see the inside of an organ as it functions |
Hysteroscopy | Uterus | Direct examination of the inside of the uterus with a flexible viewing tube |
Intravenous urography | Kidneys and urinary tract | X-ray study of the kidneys and urinary tract after a radiopaque dye is injected into a vein (intravenously) |
Joint aspiration | Joints, especially those of the shoulders, elbows, fingers, hips, knees, ankles, and toes | Removal and examination of fluid from the space within joints to check for blood cells, crystals formed from minerals, and microorganisms |
Laparoscopy | Abdomen | Direct examination using a viewing tube inserted through an incision in the abdomen to diagnose and treat abnormalities in the abdomen |
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | Any part of the body | Imaging test using a strong magnetic field and radio waves to check for structural abnormalities |
Mammography | Breasts | X-ray study to check for breast cancer |
Mediastinoscopy | Chest | Direct examination of the area of the chest between the lungs using a viewing tube inserted through a small incision just above the breastbone |
Myelography | Spinal column | Simple or computer-enhanced x-ray study of the spinal column after injection of a radiopaque dye |
Nerve conduction study | Nerves | Test to determine how fast a nerve impulse travels using electrodes or needles inserted along the path of the nerve |
Occult blood test | Large intestine | Test to detect blood in stool |
Ophthalmoscopy | Eyes | Direct examination using a handheld device that shines light into the eye to detect abnormalities inside the eye |
Papanicolaou (Pap) test | Cervix | Examination of cells scraped from the cervix under a microscope to detect cancer |
Paracentesis | Abdomen | Insertion of a needle into the abdominal cavity to remove fluid for examination |
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography | Liver and biliary tract | X-ray study of the liver and biliary tract after a radiopaque dye is injected into the liver |
Positron emission tomography (PET) | Brain and heart | Imaging test using particles that release radiation (positrons) to detect abnormalities in function |
Pulmonary function tests | Lungs | Tests to measure the lungs’ capacity to hold air, to move air in and out of the body, and to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide as people blow into a measuring device |
Radionuclide imaging | Many organs | Imaging test using particles that release radiation (radionuclides) to detect abnormalities in blood flow, structure, or function |
Reflex tests | Tendons | Tests using a physical stimulus (such as a light tap) to detect abnormalities in nerve function |
Retrograde urography | Bladder and ureters | X-ray study of the bladder and ureters after a radiopaque dye is inserted into the ureter |
Sigmoidoscopy | Rectum and last portion of the large intestine | Direct examination using a viewing tube to detect tumors or other abnormalities |
Skin allergy tests | Usually an arm or the back | Tests for allergies done by placing a solution containing a possible allergen on the skin, then pricking the skin with a needle |
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) | Spinal canal | Removal of spinal fluid, using a needle inserted into the hipbone, to check for abnormalities in spinal fluid |
Spirometry | Lungs | Test of lung function that involves blowing into a measuring device |
Stress testing | Heart | Test of heart function during exertion using a treadmill or other exercise machine and electrocardiography (if people cannot exercise, a drug is used to simulate exercise’s effects) |
Thoracentesis | The space between the pleura, a two-layered membrane that covers the lungs and lines the chest wall (pleural space) | Removal of fluid from this space with a needle to detect abnormalities |
Thoracoscopy | Lungs | Examination of the lung surfaces, pleura, and pleural space through a viewing tube |
Tympanometry | Ears | Measurement of the resistance to pressure (impedance) in the middle ear using a device inserted in the ear and sound waves to help determine the cause of hearing loss |
Ultrasonography (ultrasound scanning) | Any part of the body | Imaging using sound waves to detect structural or functional abnormalities |
Urinalysis | Kidneys and urinary tract | Chemical analysis of a urine sample to detect protein, sugar, ketones, and blood cells |
Venography | Veins | X-ray study using a radiopaque dye (similar to arteriography) to detect blockage of a vein |