Background Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a noninvasive special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that utilizes a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems, including the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts,…
Background Lumbar puncture (LP), also called a “spinal tap,” is an invasive procedure performed to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space in the spinal column. It requires the percutaneous insertion of a spinal needle between two lumbar vertebrae…
Background Diagnostic ultrasonography is the use of ultrasound to image anatomical structures. Ultrasound is sound waves that have a frequency above what the human ear can hear, or higher than 20 × 10 4 Hz. Diagnostic ultrasound is usually on the order…
Background Venous access is something that is often taken for granted. Establishing reliable venous access will facilitate a wide array of medical therapies and diagnostic exams. Currently, there are numerous types of intravenous (IV) access available, including peripheral IV (PIV),…
Background The most common implantable cardiac devices are permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). PPM is placed in a patient with complete heart block or sinus node dysfunction leading to bradycardia. It takes over the “timekeeping” function of…
Background Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid or HIDA) is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test used to assess the patency of the extrahepatic biliary tree and gallbladder and the functionality of the liver and gallbladder. Radioactive tracer is injected into the…
Background There are several means of vascular access through which hemodialysis (HD) can be performed, including catheters, arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), and arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). These accesses provide the means for large-bore cannulas to be placed, usually in both an artery…
Background Hemodialysis (HD) is the process by which the solute composition of a solution (blood) is altered by exposing the solution to a second solution (dialysate) through a semipermeable membrane. Low-molecular-weight solutes easily interchange between the two solutions down a…
Background Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a procedure that enables visualization and interaction with the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is called EGD because it uses a “scope” (an instrument for viewing; e.g., microscope, telescope) to access the esophagus (the “E”), stomach…
Background Colonoscopy is an endoscopic technique used to visualize the colon for screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes. A sigmoidoscopy allows for visualization of the distal part of the large intestine between the descending colon and rectum. The suffix “-scopy” is…