science/medical/topics/diagnostic-tests

The amniocentesis is a valuable diagnostic tool that can be used for different purposes. However, although rare, risks are involved. Find information in this article on amniocentesis pros and cons.

There are certain medical test that will bring on symptoms of stroke, or may precipitate stroke. Learn what these tests are and why they cause such symptoms.

The infant Apgar score can let health care providers know how well the newborn is adjusting to life outside of the uterus. Learn about this test and common causes of low Apgar scores.

Has your doctor scheduled an echocardiogram for you or a loved one? If so, read on to learn more about this diagnostic test.

There is a long list of tests an immunologist does to aid the clinician in making a diagnosis. Most tests are performed on blood but other samples such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or urine are also tested. This article summarizes the main tests performed by hospital immunology laboratories.

This article describes the blood test for adrenal fatigue preceded by an overview of normal adrenal gland anatomy and physiology and a description of adrenal fatigue.

What does an MRI machine look like? To the casual observer, a magnetic resonance imaging machine looks like a large tube. However, this design is needed to house the magnet and other devices such as gradient coils, shims and thermal shielding necessary to conduct a proper scan of patients.

The mechanisms and workings of MRI machines are based on the principles of nuclear technology. Our basic understanding of how subatomic particles interact with magnetism and radio frequencies allows us to utilize the design of the MRI machine to conduct detailed scans of biological tissue.

The history of the CT scanner in the field of medicine dates back to the 1970s when two researchers developed a computerized way to produce tomographic images. Since then, various advances in the technology have made CT scanners commonplace in the medical industry.

As a means for the medical industry to measure the density of bone material in patients, the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry machine is an advanced piece of machinery that essentially takes pictures of a person’s bones.