Intussusception
Intussusception is a condition where there is an obstruction in the intestinal walls. Inflammation in the intestines then leads to blockage and decreased blood flow. This usually occurs in children. Symptoms of intussuspection include abdominal swelling, vomiting bile, stools with blood and mucus. The patient's condition will worsen with weakening pulse, lower blood pressure, rapid and shallow breathing and cramping abdominal pain. Intussusception in adults, the symptoms are rectal bleeding, nausea, vomiting and distention in the abdomen. There might increased urgency for bowel movements. Adults may develop Intussusception due to tumor growths, scar tissue or chronic diarrhea.
A physician will be able to notice the tenderness and swelling in the intestine. An abdominal ultrasound will be done to investigate the extent of swelling and damage if any. Barium enema may be introduced and x-ray taken of the intestines. Intussusception is treated with air or barium enema. In case of any damage to the intestine, surgery is considered to remove or ease the intestinal blockage.
Prostrate Biopsy
Some doctors opine that prostrate cancer begins with a condition called 'prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia' (PIN). Almost 50% of men have PIN by the time they reach the age of 50 years. There occur changes in the microscopic appearance of the prostrate gland cells in this condition. These changes can be either normal or abnormal. If a person had an abnormal high-grade PIN, then there is 30 to 50 % of cancer. Men diagnosed with such high-grade PIN are asked to undergo repeated Prostrate Biopsies. Other reasons for prostrate biopsy are:
- An elevated PSA level in a blood test.
- Significant change in the standard PSA level over time.
- Standard PSA level but a low free/total PSA ratio as indicated by the PSA II test.
- Suspicious feeling prostrate on digital rectal examination.
Normally for a prostrate biopsy, the tissue is taken using a fine needle from ten or more places in the prostrate. Nowadays, specialists recommend the biopsies of the prostrate to be carried out only under ultrasound guidance. Several samples from the prostrate are taken using a method called 'sextant biopsy'. Biopsies are taken using 'Trans-Rectal Ultrasound' (TRUS) to guide the precise placement of the biopsy needle. The patient is administered an enema prior to carrying out the biopsy. There is no need for anesthesia but an antibiotic is given in order to prevent possible infection. The biopsy specimens ('cores') are sent to a pathologist for evaluation.
CT scanner
A CAT scan or a CT scanner machine is a large machine in the shape of a doughnut. The patient is made to lie on a couch. The couch can slide backwards and forwards. The couch slips into the centre of the doughnut shaped machine which takes the x-ray images around the body. The actual procedure takes anywhere from half an hour to one and half hours. During the CAT scan procedure, the patient's bodily movement has to be minimal and should remain as still and quiet as possible. This significantly helps to increase the clarity of the x ray images.
Some CAT scans need special preparations before hand. The preparation may vary according to the type of scan taken.
- For abdominal CT scans, the patient is asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight, the night before the scan. A 'contrast medium' has to be drunk or an injection of 'contrast medium' is administered to the patient. Some of this liquid can be taken at home but more of the liquid is taken in the x ray department before the scan. The contrast medium makes the digestive system show more clearly in the scan. This does not have any side effects.
- For CT scans of the head, the patient is given an injection of 'contrast medium' dye beforehand to make the scan clearer.
- For CT scans of the chest, the injection of 'contrast medium' dye is administered beforehand to show up the tissues in the area containing cancer or blood vessels more clearly.
- For pelvic CT scans, the patient is asked not to eat or drink after midnight of the night before the scan. An injection of 'contrast medium' is given before the scan. An injection of a drug to slow down the movement of the pelvis area is given so that there will be distortion during the time of the scan.
- For a rectal scan, the patient is given an enema occasionally. This makes the outline of the bowel stand out more during the scan.
- In certain detailed scans of the bowel called virtual colonoscopy, the patient is asked not to eat or drink for 36 hours before the study and two doses of a strong laxative the day before the scan is advised.
Bibliography / Reference
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