Diagnostic, Surgical, and Therapeutic Procedures

antinuclear antibody (ANA)

test that identifies the antibodies that attack the nucleus of the individual’s own body cells (autoantibodies)

blood culture

test to determine the presence of pathogens in the bloodstream

complete blood count (CBC)

series of tests that includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cell counts, platelet count, and differential (diff) count; also called hemogram

monospot

nonspecific rapid serological test for the presence of the heterophile antibody, which develops several days after infection by Epstein-Barr virus, the organism that causes infectious mononucleosis

partial thromboplastin time (PTT)

screening test for deficiencies in clotting factors by measuring the length of time it takes blood to clot; also called activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)

prothrombin time (PT)

test used to detect and diagnose bleeding disorders or excessive clotting disorders; also called pro time

bone marrow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

highly sensitive imaging procedure that detects lesions and changes in bone tissue and bone marrow, especially in diagnosing multiple myeloma

lymphangiography

visualization of lymph channels and lymph nodes using a contrast medium to determine blockages or other pathologies of the lymphatic system

lymphoscintigraphy

introduction of a radioactive tracer into the lymph channels to determine lymph flow, identify obstructions, and locate the sentinel node

bone marrow aspiration

removal of bone marrow (usually from the pelvis) for microscopic examination using a thin aspirating needle

bone marrow transplant (BMT)

infusion of healthy bone marrow stem cells after destroying the diseased bone marrow by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both and commonly used to treat leukemia, aplastic anemia, and certain cancers; also called stem cell transplant

lymphadenectomy

removal of lymph nodes, especially in surgical procedures undertaken to remove malignant tissue, in an effort to control the spread of cancer

sentinel node excision

removal of the first node (sentinel node) that receives drainage from cancer-containing areas and the one most likely to contain malignant cells

immunotherapy

any form of treatment that alters, enhances, stimulates, or restores the body’s own natural immune mechanisms to treat diseases; also called biological therapy

immunoglobulin (IG) therapy

treatment using antibody mixtures, administered via intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular routes

plasmapheresis

dialysis procedure that removes and discards the patient’s plasma containing the autoantibodies responsible for tissue destruction in autoimmunity and returns the blood cells to patient suspended in the plasma of a donor

transfusion

infusion of blood or blood products from one person (donor) to another (recipient)