Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside bones that contains immature cells known as hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells, according to the National Cancer Institute. Bone marrow transplantation is done to restore stem cells that have been destroyed with high doses of...
A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is a procedure commonly used to help patients who suffer from gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease. The surgery reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter (the area between the esophagus and the stomach) to prevent backflow of gastric acids into...
Virtual colonoscopy or computed tomography (CT) colonography is a technique that uses a CT scanner and computer software to look at the bowel or colon to detect polyps. Polyps are small growths in the colon that may become cancerous if not removed. The technique offers an alternative to...
Prostate cryosurgery (also known as cryoablation, cryotherapy, or cryo) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses controlled freezing to destroy cancerous cells in the prostate gland, according to the American Urological Association (AUA). Cryotherapy was initially developed to treat tumors...
Peripheral and visceral arteriography, also referred to as angiography, is an imaging guided procedure used to visualize non-coronary arteries, such as those found in the hands, feet, legs, arms, and organs. The physician performs the procedure by making a small incision in an artery and...
Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive approach to the traditional open radical nephrectomy, which removes the entire kidney and any kidney cancer. Rather than making one large incision, surgeons make three or four incisions roughly 1 centimeter long in the abdomen. A small camera is...
Percutaneous transluminal peripheral angioplasty (PTPA) is a revascularization procedure that is used to treat narrowing of the arteries caused by peripheral arterial disease or other conditions. A physician performing PTPA makes a small nick in the skin and inserts a balloon catheter or other...
Diagnostic angiography, which is also referred to as diagnostic arteriology, is an imaging-guided procedure designed to detect cardiovascular disease. A physician performs the procedure by making a small incision in an artery and threading a catheter through the blood vessels, according to the...
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an FDA-approved drug used to treat diseases that feature blood clots. tPA uses an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which is responsible for clot breakdown. Because of the way it is manufactured, tPA may also be referred to as...
Endoscopic laser foraminoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal procedure in which the surgeon uses an endoscopically guided laser to remove bony extrusions or sequestrations from discs in the spinal column. Removing these bony protrusions alleviates pressure on the nerves and relieves many...
