Other Treatments
Scans and Tests
Prepared by Library Advisor:
Tammy L Wigginton, M.S.,CCC/SLP
Biopsy Procedures:
- Biopsy
- Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): A procedure used to obtain cells or fluid from tissue using a needle with an empty syringe to be examined by a pathologist. www.entnet.org/healthinfo/thyroid/fine_needle_aspiration.cfm
Examination/visualization:
- Diagnostic Laryngoscopy (DL): A procedure which allows the physician to examine and biopsy suspicious areas in the upper airway and secondary structures. This procedure requires general anesthesia and can usually be done on an outpatient basis. www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/laryngoscopy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): A procedure usually performed by a gastroenterologist (GI or intestinal doctor), which involves passing an endoscope, a long, flexible black tube with a light and video camera on one end, through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum www.heartburn.about.com/cs/articles/a/endoscopy
- Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy: The use of a flexible scope with a camera attached to examine the nasal, oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal passages and structures www.homepage.mac.com/changcy/endo
- Videostroboscopy: a state-of-the-art technique that provides a magnified, view of the vocal cords in action. It enables physicians to make an accurate diagnosis of conditions and diseases of the vocal cords. www.emedicine.com/ent/topic606
Imaging Procedures:
- CAT scan Computerized Axial Tomography uses special x-ray equipment to generate three dimensional images of the body which results in greater clarity than ordinary x-rays. www.medicinenet.com
- MRI or Magnetic Resonance imaging uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field rather than x-ray to provide detailed images of internal organs and tissue. It is important to remove metal objects prior to the procedure and to inform the technicians if you have tattoos or metal implants in your body. www.medicinenet.com
- PET Scan or Positron Emission Tomography Scan is a diagnostic examination that involves obtaining images based on detection of radiation from the emission of positrons. www.petscaninfo.com
- Chest X-ray: The chest x-ray is the most commonly performed diagnostic x-ray examination. An x-ray is a painless test that helps your diagnose and treat a number of medical conditions. A chest x-ray makes images of the heart, lungs, airway, blood vessels and the bones of the spine and chest. www.radiologyinfo.org
Assessing Swallowing:
- Barium Swallow: An x-ray procedure used to examine the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach. The patient is asked to swallow barium which is a chalky tasting material that is visible to x-rays. As the patient swallows the barium suspension, it coats the esphagus with a thin layer of the barium. This enables the hollow structure to be imaged. The patient is asked to swallow the Barium a number of times while standing in a variety of different positions. This test is particularly good at detecting narrowing in the esophagus, fistulas, hiatal hernias and reflux. www.emedicinehealth.com/barium_swallow/article_em.htm
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing and Sensory Testing (FEEST): a test in which a flexible scope is passed through the nose into the larynx to assess swallowing ability and laryngeal sensation. www.mayoclinic.org/swallowing-problems/feesst.html
- Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS): A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is procedure performed by a radiologist and a speech pathologist to assess swallowing function. During the procedure the patient swallows a variety of liquids and foods mixed with barium, as a radiologist takes video X-rays of the mouth and throat. These images show how food passes from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. During the test, a speech pathologist may ask patients to alter their head position, such as tucking the chin, or to try various other techniques to improve swallowing.
www.mayoclinic.org/swallowing-problems/vfss.html
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Ed Chapman, VP Web Site Information