New and Updated Topics
Updated Medical Test Topics
A primary care physician or a specialist in the field reviewed the following medical test topics. All information has been verified for medical accuracy, and new medical information has been added if available. The Test Overview in each test topic has been reorganized to define the test clearly and to explain why it is done. Information on how the test affects the body has been added if appropriate. To provide consistent information across all test topics, standard language has been developed for some topic sections. A link to a medical test information form has been added to the How to Prepare section of all appropriate topics. This form will help people prepare to talk with their health professional about a medical test.
- Amylase: In this topic we no longer say that if you are a woman, you need to schedule this test at a time when you are not having your menstrual period. We now state that normal test values vary widely from lab to lab.
- Barium Enema: In this topic colon cancer screening is no longer mentioned. The American College of Gastroenterology and the United States Preventive Services Task Force no longer list double-contrast barium enema as a possible screening test for colon cancer. Also, a barium swallow test (upper gastrointestinal series) has been added to the list of things that can interfere with the test or the accuracy of the results.
- Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test: We have revised the Results section to indicate only normal and abnormal ranges because of the variation in BNP level interpretation for severity of heart failure. Per the 2009 ACC/AHA heart failure guideline update, we have clarified that BNP levels may drop when treatment for heart failure is working.
- Breast Biopsy: This topic now lists vacuum-assisted biopsy, which may be used in core needle biopsy or stereotactic biopsy, as another way to do a breast biopsy. We now say that stereotactic biopsy and open biopsy may be done to check a lump seen on an MRI as well as on a mammogram. We say that if a metal marker is placed in your breast after a stereotactic breast biopsy, you will not be able to feel it and can still have an MRI safely. We also say that if your biopsy is done under general anesthesia, your doctor will tell you how soon before surgery to stop eating and drinking. In the What to Think About section we have added headings for information on breast lumps, biopsy samples, and when breast cancer is found. Under "When breast cancer is found," we have included hormone receptor tests. In this same section in the bullet on axillary lymph node dissection, we have clarified that removing axillary lymph nodes to treat breast cancer that has spread may cause lymphedema.
- Bronchoscopy: This topic now mentions that bronchoscopy may be done to treat narrowed areas of the airways. The information on recovery now contains a recommendation about not driving for at least 8 hours after the procedure. The topic also includes new information on combining bronchoscopy with imaging techniques that can help diagnose and treat more problems than standard bronchoscopy.
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Cardiac Calcium Scoring: We now explain what medium risk for a heart attack means.
- DNA Fingerprinting: The image explaining DNA fingerprinting has been revised for accuracy.
- D-xylose Absorption Test: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Ear Examination: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP): In this topic we now say that an ERCP is a test that does have some serious risks.
- Esophagus Tests: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Fine-Needle Aspiration: We now specify that the section of tissue that is removed in a core needle biopsy is about the size of a pencil lead.
- Galactosemia Test: In this topic we clarify that galactose is one part of the lactose found in milk. We have updated the reference range values in the Results section and have added SI units.
- Genetic Test: This updated topic now contains information about the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).
- Gonorrhea Test: In this topic we now consistently recommend that patients not urinate for 2 hours before a urine sample is collected.
- Hearing Tests: In this topic the information on newborn hearing screening has been updated. All 50 states now require newborn hearing tests. The topic has also been updated according to the newest American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for hearing tests. A formal test is no longer recommended at ages 12, 15, and 18 years.
- Hemochromatosis Gene Test (HFE Test): We have clarified that an abnormal test result does not necessarily mean that you have hemochromatosis or that you will get hemochromatosis.
- Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening: We have added the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force recommendation against genetic screening for hemochromatosis in the general population.
- Home Ear Examination: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Karyotype Test: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Lipase: In this topic we now list test values for adults who are 60 and under and adults who are older than 60.
- Lung Biopsy: The information on how soon before the test to stop eating and drinking has been updated. Your doctor will tell you how soon before the procedure to stop eating and drinking. In most cases, you will need to stop eating at least 6 hours before your procedure. You may be able to drink clear liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea, up to two hours before the procedure. But be sure to follow the exact instructions your doctor gives you.
- Lymph Node Biopsy: We now say that if your biopsy is done under general anesthesia, you need to follow instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. We also say that a sentinel node biopsy may be done instead of removing an entire group of axillary lymph nodes.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Abdomen: This topic now contains links to pictures of different types of MRI machines. It also contains information about the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in people with kidney disease who get contrast material containing gadolinium.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Knee: This topic now contains links to pictures of different types of MRI machines. It also contains information about the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in people with kidney disease who get contrast material containing gadolinium.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Shoulder: This updated topic now contains links to pictures of different types of MRI machines. It also contains information about the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in people with kidney disease who get contrast material containing gadolinium.
- Mediastinoscopy: The information on how soon before the test to stop eating and drinking has been updated. Your doctor will tell you how soon before the procedure to stop eating and drinking. In most cases, you will need to stop eating at least 6 hours before your procedure. You may be able to drink clear liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea, up to 2 hours before the procedure. But be sure to follow the exact instructions your doctor gives you.
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): In this topic we have separated the factors that may increase PSA levels into those that may raise levels briefly—such as an injury, a digital rectal exam, or sexual activity (ejaculation)—from those that may raise PSA levels for a longer time, such as inflammation of the prostate gland or prostate cancer. The table in the Results section is no longer only for white males. We now explain that a follow-up test that measures free PSA may be used to see if a prostate biopsy is needed to check for cancer. We also say that a complexed prostate-specific antigen (cPSA) test measures the amount of a protein made in the prostate that is found in the blood.
- Sigmoidoscopy (Anoscopy, Proctoscopy): In this topic the information on how to prepare has been updated. We no longer recommend talking to your doctor to find out if you need to take antibiotics before the test. Antibiotics are no longer recommended before tests such as sigmoidoscopy. The information on how the test feels has been updated. As the scope is moved up the colon, you may feel the need to have a bowel movement and pass gas. But if you are having pain, tell your doctor.
- Skin Biopsy: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Sputum Culture: The information on how soon before the test to stop eating and drinking has been updated. Your doctor will tell you how soon before the procedure to stop eating and drinking. In most cases, you will need to stop eating at least 6 hours before your procedure. You may be able to drink clear liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea, up to 2 hours before the procedure. But be sure to follow the exact instructions your doctor gives you.
- Sputum Cytology: The information on how soon before the test to stop eating and drinking has been updated. Your doctor will tell you how soon before the procedure to stop eating and drinking. In most cases, you will need to stop eating at least 6 hours before your procedure. You may be able to drink clear liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea, up to 2 hours before the procedure. But be sure to follow the exact instructions your doctor gives you.
- Thoracentesis: This topic has undergone a new medical review and was found to be accurate and up-to-date.
- Tuberculin Skin Test: The Topic Overview now reflects the testing that is currently being done for TB (the tine test is no longer used to screen for TB). The topic now indicates that a previous positive TB test is not a contraindication to testing, but a previous severe reaction from a TB test is a contraindication. The Results section now indicates that a raised bump is necessary for a positive test result, that redness without a bump does not indicate a positive test result.
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
 | ||
