| diagnostic techniques, radioisotope | Any diagnostic evaluation using radioactive (unstable) isotopes. This diagnosis includes many nuclear medicine procedures as well as radioimmunoassay tests. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| radioisotope | <chemical, radiobiology> Form of a chemical element with unstable neutron number, so that it undergoes spontaneous nuclear disintegration. Major use in biology is to trace the fate of atoms or molecules that follow the same metabolic pathway or enzymic fate as the normal stable isotope, but that can be detected with high sensitivity by their emission of radiation. Also used to locate the position of the radioactive metabolite, as in autoradiography and to measure relative rates of synthesis of compounds from radioactive precursors. (18 Nov 1997) |
| radioisotope dilution technique | Method for assessing flow through a system by injection of a known quantity of radionuclide into the system and monitoring its concentration over time at a specific point in the system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| radioisotope renography | Graphic tracing over a time period of radioactivity measured externally over the kidneys following intravenous injection of a radionuclide which is taken up and excreted by the kidneys. (12 Dec 1998) |
| radioisotope teletherapy | A type of high-energy radiotherapy using a beam of gamma-radiation produced by a radioisotope source encapsulated within a teletherapy unit. (12 Dec 1998) |
| lead radioisotope | <radiobiology> Unstable isotopes of lead that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. Lead atoms with atomic weights 194-203, 205, and 209-214 are radioactive lead isotopes. (25 Jun 1999) |
| reagent kits, diagnostic | Commercially prepared reagent sets, with accessory devices, containing all of the major components and literature necessary to perform one or more designated diagnostic tests or procedures. They may be for laboratory or personal use. (12 Dec 1998) |
| pneumomediastinum, diagnostic | Deliberate introduction of air or gas into the mediastinum as an aid to examination and diagnosis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diagnostic | Refers to something that is used to determine the cause of an illness or disorder. (09 Oct 1997) |
| diagnostic anaesthesia | Anaesthesia induced for evaluation of the mechanism responsible for a painful condition. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Diagnostic and Statistical Manual | An American Psychiatric Association publication which classifies mental illnesses.Currently in its fourth edition (DSM-IV) and first published in 1952, the manual provides health practitioners with a comprehensive system for diagnosing mental illnesses based on specific ideational and behavioural symptoms. The DSM approach supplants older, less rigorous methods of diagnosis, and as such represents a major step forward for the field of psychiatry. It consists of five axes covering clinical syndromes, developmental and personality disorders, physical disorders, severity of psychosocial stressors, and global assessment of functioning. It is used primarily in the U.S.; elsewhere, the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases is preferred. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diagnostic audiometry | Measurement of hearing threshold levels to determine the nature and degree of hearing loss (e.g., conductive, sensorineural, or mixed). (05 Mar 2000) |
| diagnostic cast | A positive replica of the form of the teeth and tissues made from an impression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diagnostic diphtheria toxin | Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxin diluted so that the inoculated dose (0.1 or 0.2 ml) will contain 1/50 th of guinea pig minimal lethal dose. See: Schick test. Synonym: diagnostic diphtheria toxin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diagnostic equipment | Nonexpendable items used in examinination. (12 Dec 1998) |