Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic test that is used to view the airways, throat and larynx. This procedure can also facilitate removal of a growth or obstruction from the airway. Bronchoscopy is useful in diagnosing lung diseases and lung cancer. Any growth in the airways can be treated or removed. Other diagnostic tests such as CBC test, arterial blood gas test and PFT may be prescribed before embarking on bronchoscopy. The secretions in the mouth and airways are dried up with suitable medications. The vocal chords are also numbed. Fluroscope is also used to capture the images on a monitor. Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours prior to a bronchoscopy procedure. There might be blood in the sputum in case of biopsy.
Flexible bronchoscope allows a better view of the smaller airways and permits biopsy procedure too. This is called a transbronchial biopsy. Local anasthesia is often sprayed into the nose and mouth.
Rigid bronchoscope often necessitates the patient to be anesthesized and is resorted to when large samples need to be taken for biopsy and to remove pieces of food or dilating the airway. Use of laser is possible for removal for obstructions.
Abnormal results of bronchoscopy may be indicative of lung cancer, tumor, enlarged lymph nodes, ulceration or abnormality in the bronchial wall. Bronchoscopy is prescibed in cases where the patient coughs up blood or chest x-ray shows abnormal findings. If a person has inhaled a foreign body into the lung, bronchoscopy can help in removing it.
Urinalysis
Routine urine analyis is done as part of regular checkup, pregnancy test or to check for UTI. Urinalysis is done along with CMP test or CBC test to get an overall picture of a person's health. Urinalyis is useful in monitoring of diabetes or endocrine disorders. It can be used to screen for drug abuse.
pH level: Typically urine pH can range from 4.5 - 8.
Specific gravity: Specific gravity of around 1.002 and 1.035 is indicative of normal kidney function.
Protein: Total protein in urine normally does not exceed 150 mg/24 hours or 10 mg/100 ml.
Glucose: Excess sugar in urine is usually indicative of diabetes mellitus.
Ketones: The presence of acetone, aceotacetic acid or beta hydroxybutyric acid can indicate caloric deprivation or any other disorder.
Bibliography / Reference
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