diagnostic exams

The fetal echocardiogram is an imaging test that is usually requested during the prenatal period and is aimed at verifying the development, size and functioning of the fetal heart. Thus, it is able to identify some congenital diseases, such as pulmonary atresia, interatrial or interventricular communication, and to monitor the response to treatment in case of arrhythmias, for example

Culdocentesis is a diagnostic method that aims to remove fluid from the region located behind the cervix to help diagnose gynecological problems, such as ectopic pregnancy, which corresponds to pregnancy outside the uterine cavity. See what are the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy. The examination is painful, since it is invasive, but it is simple and can be performed both in the gynecological office and in emergencies

Upper endoscopy is an examination in which a thin tube, called an endoscope, is inserted through the mouth into the stomach to allow observation of the walls of organs such as the esophagus, the stomach, and the beginning of the intestine. Thus, it is a test used to try to identify a cause for some abdominal discomfort that lasts a long time, with symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, burning, reflux or difficulty swallowing, for example

The test of the little eye, also known as Red Reflex Test, is usually a test offered by SUS that serves to diagnose early vision diseases in the baby, such as congenital cataract, tumor, glaucoma or strabismus. This test should be done in the first week of life of the newborn, preferably in the maternity ward, but can also be performed at the first consultation with the pediatrician and repeated at 4, 6, 12 and 24 months, being an important tool to prevent childhood blindness

The spermogram exam aims to analyze the quantity and quality of man's sperm and is mainly asked to investigate the cause of infertility of a couple, for example. In addition to being asked to evaluate the reproductive capacity of the man, this examination may also be requested after vasectomy surgery and to evaluate the functioning of the testicles

The 24-hour Holter is a type of electrocardiogram that is performed to evaluate the heart's rhythm in a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour period. Usually, the 24-hour Holter examination is requested when the patient has frequent symptoms of dizziness, palpitations or shortness of breath, which may indicate cardiac changes

Catheterization is a medical procedure in which a plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into a blood vessel, organ or body cavity in order to facilitate the passage of blood or other fluids. The procedure is performed according to the clinical conditions of the patient, and can be done in the heart, bladder, navel and stomach

Isotopic cisternography is a nuclear medicine exam that takes a kind of radiography with contrast of the brain and spine that allows to evaluate and diagnose changes in the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid, caused by fistulas that allow the passage of this liquid to other places of the body. This test is performed after an injection of a substance that is a radiopharmaceutical, such as Tc99m or In11, through a lumbar puncture, which allows the substance to pass through the spine until it reaches the brain

Excretory urography is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the structure and functioning of the urinary system, when renal masses, such as tumors, calculi, or genetic abnormalities are suspected. Generally, excretory urography is done by the urologist, in the case of the man, or by the gynecologist, in the case of the woman, especially when there are symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain in the urinary tract or frequent urinary infections

Vulvoscopy is an examination that allows visualization of the woman's intimate region 10 to 40 times larger, showing changes that can not be seen with the naked eye. In this examination are observed the Mount of Venus, large lips, interlabial furrows, small lips, clitoris, vestibule and perineal region

The opaque enema or opaque clister is an x-ray and contrast test, usually barium sulfate, to study the shape and function of the large and rectum to detect possible bowel problems, such as diverticulitis or polyps. The opaque enema test can be done in both adults and children and can be divided into simple opaque enema when using only a contrast and opaque enema with double contrast when more than one type of contrast is used

The echocardiogram is an examination used to evaluate, in real time, some characteristics of the heart, such as the size, shape of the valves, muscle thickness and the ability of the heart to function, in addition to blood flow. This examination also allows to see the state the great vessels of the heart, pulmonary artery and aorta, at the moment the examination is being performed

The glycosylated hemoglobin test, also known as glycated hemoglobin, is a blood test that helps to identify and track the development of diabetes. This test works because the sugar present in the blood binds to a component of the red blood cells, hemoglobin, keeping them connected until the blood cell cycle, which lasts an average of 120 days, ends

Colonoscopy is an examination that evaluates the mucosa of the large intestine and is especially indicated to identify the presence of polyps, intestinal cancer or other types of changes in the intestine, such as colitis, varicose veins or diverticular disease. This test may be indicated when the person has symptoms that may suggest bowel changes, such as bleeding or persistent diarrhea, for example, but it is also routinely needed for colon cancer screening for people aged 50 years or older, or earlier if there is an increased risk of developing the disease

The X-ray is a type of examination used to look inside the body, without having to do any kind of cut in the skin. There are several types of X-rays, which allow you to observe different types of tissues, but the most commonly used are the x-ray to look at the bones or the breast tissue. So the midwife can ask for this exam to examine a certain area of ​​the body where there is some kind of pain or discomfort to assess if there is any change and thus reach a diagnosis such as: Fractures in the bones; Infections; Osteoporosis; Tumors; Increased heart; Changes in the lung, such as pneumonia. In

Bone densitometry is an imaging test widely used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, since it allows the evaluation of bone loss. However, this test is not able to show if the bone loss still happens, it only indicates if there was or not, which becomes disadvantageous, since the person can have osteoporosis in the initial phase, and the examination is not able to show the loss of bone mass at this stage

Cholangiography consists of an examination of the bile ducts that allows visualizing the bile pathway from the liver to the duodenum in order to diagnose some obstruction in the bile ducts, which can be caused by a tumor, calculus or other body weird. In addition, this technique also helps assess other lesions, stenoses, or dilatation of these ducts

Retinosigmoidoscopy is an examination indicated to visualize changes or diseases that affect the final portion of the large intestine. For its realization, it is introduced, through the anus, a tube that can be flexible or rigid, with a camera in the tip, able to detect lesions, polyps, bleeding foci or tumors, for example

Genetic counseling is a process designed to identify genetic changes that can be passed on to future generations as well as the risk of these changes to the person. Learn about genetic counseling. This process has several applications and can be used in pregnancy or prenatal planning to check for any chance of a change in the fetus and in cancer in order to assess the chances of cancer occurring and establish the possible severity and treatment

Imaging tests are highly requested by physicians to aid diagnosis and to define the treatment of various diseases. However, there are currently several imaging tests that can be indicated according to the person's symptoms and characteristics and physician assessment, such as ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography and scintigraphy