| endoscopic biopsy | Biopsy obtained by instruments passed through an endoscope or obtained by a needle introduced under endoscopic guidance. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde | Fibreoptic endoscopy designed for duodenal observation and cannulation of vater's ampulla, in order to visualise the pancreatic and biliary duct system by retrograde injection of contrast media. Endoscopic (vater) papillotomy (sphincterotomy, endoscopic) may be performed during this procedure. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| haemostasis, endoscopic | Control of bleeding performed through the channel of the endoscope. Techniques include use of lasers, heater probes, bipolar electrocoagulation, and local injection. Endoscopic haemostasis is commonly used to treat bleeding oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices and ulcers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sphincterotomy, endoscopic | Incision of oddi's sphincter or vater's ampulla performed by inserting a sphincterotome through an endoscope (duodenoscope) often following retrograde cholangiography (cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde). Endoscopic treatment by sphincterotomy is the preferred method of treatment for patients with retained or recurrent bile duct stones post-cholecystectomy, and for poor-surgical-risk patients that have the gallbladder still present. (12 Dec 1998) |
| surgical procedures, endoscopic | Surgery performed with the use of an endoscope. Operative techniques may include use of lasers or electrocautery. The procedure is guided via visualization using fibre optics, video and other remote transmission. Advantages are briefer anaesthesia and operative periods, reduced recovery time, shorter hospitalization, and generally less trauma for the patient. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram | A diagnostic procedure to examine diseases of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas. It is uncomfortable but not painful, is performed under intravenous sedation, usually without general anaesthesia, and has a low incidence of complications. ERCP provides important information unobtainable by other diagnostic means. Therapeutic measures can often be take at the time of ERCP to remove stones in the bile ducts or to relieve obstructions of the bile ducts. (12 Dec 1998) |
| endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography | <investigation, procedure> A diagnostic-therapeutic procedure that involves the X-ray of the pancreatic duct and biliary tree after the selective introduction of a contrast material into the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. In this procedure, a flexible endoscope is passed through the mouth and down into the duodenum. A catheter is then passed through the endoscope and inserted into the pancreatic and bile ducts. It is uncomfortable but not painful, is performed under intravenous sedation, usually without general anaesthesia, and has a low incidence of complications. A contrast agent is injected into the catheter which highlights the coarse and calibre of the ducts. Narrowing, stones or ductal tumours can be identified with this procedure. Therapeutic measures can often be take at the time of ERCP to remove stones in the bile ducts or to relieve obstructions of the bile ducts, so that traditional open surgeries can be avoided. ERCP is increasingly accepted as the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of choice in identifying and removing gallstones in the bile ducts. Acronym: ERCP (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal wall fat pad biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> The removal of a small specimen of the abdominal wall fat pad for microscopic examination. Often used in the diagnosis of amyloidosis. Performed with a local anaesthetic. (25 Jun 1999) |
| aspiration biopsy | Removal of a sample of tissue from the breast using a wide-core needle with suction. (09 Oct 1997) |
| biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A biopsy refers to a procedure that involves obtaining a tissue specimen for microscopic analysis to establish a precise diagnosis. Biopsies can be accomplished with a biopsy needle (passed through the skin into the organ in question) or by open surgical incision. See: abdominal wall fat pad biopsy, endometrial biopsy, heart biopsy, muscle biopsy, needle biopsy, nerve biopsy, open lung biopsy, pleural needle biopsy, salivary gland biopsy. (07 Apr 1998) |
| biopsy, endometrial | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure by which a sample is taken of the endometrial lining of the uterus. This may be performed with or without an anaesthetic. Risks include bleeding after the procedure. This test is usually performed in the evaluation of abnormal menses, heavy menstruation or post-menopausal bleeding. It may be part of an infertility evaluation. Endometrial biopsy can reveal uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps and adenomyosis. Often performed in those with endometriosis as part of the evaluation. (21 Mar 1998) |
| biopsy, heart | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of cardiac muscle tissue for microscopic analysis. This is generally performed at the same time as a cardiac catheterisation or as a very similar, yet separate, procedure. A small piece of heart tissue is taken via a small forceps inserted into the cardiac catheter site (usually threaded through a vein in the neck). This test may reveal the cause of a cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, amyloidosis or a heart transplant rejection. (21 Mar 1998) |
| biopsy, muscle | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of muscle tissue for microscopic analysis. A muscle biopsy is used to distinguish between neurological and myopathic (muscle disease) disorders, identify muscular dystrophy, diagnose muscle infections and identify connective tissue disorders (necrotising vasculitis). (21 Mar 1998) |
| biopsy, myocardial | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of cardiac muscle tissue for microscopic analysis. This is generally performed at the same time as a cardiac catheterisation or as a very similar, yet separate, procedure. A small piece of heart tissue is taken via a small forceps inserted into the cardiac catheter site (usually threaded through a vein in the neck). This test may reveal the cause of a cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, amyloidosis or a heart transplant rejection. (21 Mar 1998) |
| biopsy needle | <equipment> A skinny needle that is passed percutaneously into an organ being investigated (liver and kidney are common). Tissue is obtained from the core of the needle and then analysed under the microscope. (21 Mar 1998) |
| biopsy, nerve | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of nerve tissue for microscopic analysis. The ankle or wrist are the most common sites used for nerve biopsy. Conditions such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, metabolic polyneuropathy, leprosy, demyelination, alcoholic neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, peroneal nerve dysfunction, mononeuritis multiplex and other polyneuropathies may be detected using this study. (21 Mar 1998) |