Abdominal CT scan 11/09/2012 () Computed tomography scan - abdomen; CT scan - abdomen; CAT scan - abdomen How the test is performed: You will lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Most often, you will lie on your back with your arms raised above the head. Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you.
Abdominal MRI scan 11/09/2012 () Nuclear magnetic resonance - abdomen; NMR - abdomen; Magnetic resonance imaging - abdomen; MRI of the abdomen How the test is performed: You may be asked to wear a hospital gown or clothing without metal zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt).
Abdominal tap 08/10/2012 () Peritoneal tap; Paracentesis How the test is performed: This test may be done in an office setting, treatment room, or hospital. The puncture site will be cleaned and shaved, if necessary. You then receive a local numbing medicine. The tap needle is inserted 1 - 2 inches into the abdomen. Sometimes a small cut is made to help insert the needle.
Abdominal ultrasound 11/09/2012 () Ultrasound - abdomen; Abdominal sonogram How the test is performed: An ultrasound machine makes images of organs and structures inside the body. The machine sends out high-frequency sound waves that reflect off body structures.
Abdominal wall fat pad biopsy 02/02/2013 () Abdominal wall biopsy; Biopsy - abdominal wall fat pad How the test is performed: Needle aspiration is the most common method of taking an abdominal wall fat pad biopsy . The health care provider cleans the skin on your belly area. Numbing medicine may be applied on the area.
Abdominal x-ray 01/22/2013 () Abdominal film; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB x-ray How the test is performed: The test is done in a hospital radiology department. Or it may done in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist.
Abscess scan - radioactive 11/09/2012 () Radioactive abscess scan; Abscess scan How the test is performed: Blood is drawn from a vein, most often on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
ACE levels 11/17/2011 () Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme; SACE How the test is performed: A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture How to prepare for the test: You may have to restrict food and fluids for up to 12 hours before the test. People taking steroid therapy should talk to their health care providers, because steroids can decrease ACE levels.
Acetylcholine receptor antibody 04/30/2011 () Acetylcholine receptor antibody is a protein found in the blood of most people with myasthenia gravis . The antibody affects a chemical that sends signals from nerves to muscles and between nerves in the brain. This article discusses the blood test for acetylcholine receptor antibody. How the test is performed: A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture How to prepare for the test: No special preparation is required.
Acid loading test (pH) 12/19/2011 () The acid loading test (pH) measures the ability of the kidneys to send acid to your urine when there is too much acid in your blood. See also: Urine pH How the test is performed: You will be told to take ammonium chloride capsules by mouth for 3 days. Then, a urine and blood sample are taken. The laboratory measures the level of acid found in both samples. For information on how the urine and blood samples are obtained, see: Clean catch urine collection Venipuncture (blood draw) How to prepare for the test: Your doctor will tell you to take ammonium chloride capsules by mouth for 3 days prior to the test.