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Doppler ultrasound is an application of diagnostic ultrasound used to detect moving blood cells or other moving structures and measure their direction and speed of movement. The Doppler effect is used to evaluate movement by measuring changes in frequency of the echoes reflected from moving structures.

In many instances, Doppler ultrasound has replaced x-ray methods such as angiography, as a method to evaluate blood vessels and blood flow. Doppler ultrasound permits real-time viewing of blood flow that cannot be obtained by other methods. Doppler ultrasound has proved a boon in all areas of ultrasound, aiding in the evaluation of the major arteries and veins of the body, the heart, and in obstetrics for fetal monitoring.

A Holter monitor is a machine that continuously records the heart’s rhythms. The monitor is usually worn for 24 – 48 hours during normal activity.

For more info visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003877.htm

An exercise stress test is a screening tool used to test the effect of exercise on your heart.

For more info visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003878.htm

An electrokardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

For more info visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003868.htm

Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum.

For more info visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003885.htm

A colon polypectomy is the removal of polyps from the inside lining of the colon, also called the large intestine. A polyp is a mass of tissue. Some types of polyps can develop into cancer. Most polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

For more info visit: http://www.wkhs.com/Cancer/Cancer-Treatment-Services/Surgery/Resection/Colon-Polypectomy.aspx

A colon biopsy is the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluid from the colon. If a doctor finds a growth in your colon during a colonoscopy, she’ll remove the growth (if it’s small) or a piece of it (if it’s too big to safely snip off with the colonoscope). A colon biopsy may also be conducted during abdominal surgery.

For more info visit: http://coloncancer.about.com/od/stagesandsurvivalrate1/a/colon_biopsy.htm

The Pap smear, also called a Pap test, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.

For more info visit: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pap-smear/

Colposcopy (kol-POS-kuh-pee) is a procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. During colposcopy, the doctor uses a special instrument called a colposcope.

For more info visit: http://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003913.htm

A cervical biopsy is a procedure performed to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer.

For more info visit: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gynecology/cervical_biopsy_92,P07767/

Endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus (endometrium), and is checked under a microscope for any abnormal cells or signs of cancer.

For more info visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003917.htm

An audio test/screening is a painless, noninvasive hearing test that measures a person’s ability to hear different sounds, pitches, or frequencies. Patients who have a tumor in or around the ear may undergo audiometry testing to determine whether hearing loss has occurred or to monitor their hearing before and after surgery. It is also used to evaluate whether hearing aids or surgery may improve one’s hearing.

For more info visit: http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-hearing.htm

Sometimes areas of the nose and throat are out of the reach of our regular exam tools. In these cases, we may employ the use of a thin, fiberoptic camera (rhinolaryngoscope) to evaluate all of your nasal cavity, throat and larynx. The goal of this procedure is to look for evidence of sinus disease, nasal polyps or enlarged adenoids.

Ear Lavage is the process of flushing the external ear canal with sterile water or sterile saline. It is used to treat patients who complain of foreign body or cerumen (ear wax) impaction. The purpose of ear lavage is to remove earwax that is obstructing the ear canal or to remove a foreign object lodged in the ear canal. Ear lavage is most commonly performed on those who experience a wax buildup that has impaired hearing and irritated the outer ear canal.

Spirometry (spi-ROM-uh-tree) is a common office test used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and certain other conditions that affect breathing. Spirometry may also be used periodically to check how well your lungs are working once you’re being treated for a chronic lung condition.

Spirometry measures how much air you can inhale and exhale. Spirometry also measures how fast you can exhale. Spirometry values below average indicate your lungs aren’t working as well as they should.

For more info visit: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/spirometry/about/pac-20385201

Pulse oximetry is a way to measure how much oxygen your blood is carrying. By using a small device called a pulse oximeter, your blood oxygen level can be checked without needing to be stuck with a needle. The blood oxygen level measured with an oximeter is called your oxygen saturation level (abbreviated O2sat or SaO2). This is a percentage of how much oxygen your blood is carrying compared to the maximum it is capable of carrying. Normally, more than 89% of your red blood should be carrying oxygen.

https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/pulse-oximetry.pdf

Laser surgery uses laser light to remove diseased tissues or treat bleeding blood vessels. Laser surgery may also be used to remove wrinkles, sunspots, tattoos, or birthmarks.

In a biopsy, a doctor or surgeon takes a sample of a lump, a sore, or tissue from a person’s body so experts can examine it and find out exactly what it is. In a skin biopsy, the doctor removes a tiny piece or all of the area that’s affected. This skin tissue is then treated with a special chemical to preserve the sample and sent to a lab, where an expert will examine it under a microscope to determine what it is. Once that is known, your doctor can provide the right treatment for you.

Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It’s the same toxin that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism. Doctors use it in small doses to treat health problems, including

• Temporary removal of facial wrinkles
• Severe underarm sweating
• Cervical dystonia – a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions
• Blepharospasm – uncontrollable blinking
• Strabismus – misaligned eyes

For more info visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/botox.html

Our office offers various products for skin care from the PCA SkinCare line. Visit http://www.pcaskin.com for more info.