A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) serves as a viable alternative to axillary dissection to help prevent the regional recurrence of breast cancer when cancer cells migrate to nearby lymph nodes. During an SLNB procedure, a surgeon injects a radioactive substance or dye (or both) near the tumor...
Patients who have degenerative disc disease that causes pain and makes it difficult to do everyday activities may find relief through nonsurgical treatment. Those who require alternative treatment methods have two options for back surgery: spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement (ADR).
Biofeedback is the process through which an individual learns how to change his or her physiological activity for the purposes of improving health and performance. In biofeedback, precise instruments measure physiological activity and report or “feed back” information to the individual. These...
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultra-high-frequency sound waves to record cardiac structures and blood flow velocities within the heart; this procedure is primarily performed on adult patients and is also referred to as adult TTE. During TTE...
Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) is a minimally invasive procedure in which a surgeon removes the uterus while keeping the cervix in place. This procedure improved upon the radical hysterectomy or total abdominal hysterectomy, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, or laparoscopically...
Sinus endoscopy, also referred to as endoscopic sinus surgery or sinoscopy, is used to remove blockages, swelling, and other conditions that hinder the patient’s ability to breathe freely.
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions. The procedure begins by inserting a catheter tube through a blood vessel in one of three regions—the arm, groin, or neck—and threading the tube through the heart. Live x-rays are used as a guide as the...
Atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) are congenital heart defects that sometimes require surgical intervention. An ASD is a hole in the wall or septum
that separates the two upper chambers of the heart, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The...
Breast ultrasound, also called breast sonography, is a noninvasive procedure that uses reflected sound waves to view and produce a picture of the breast’s internal structures. A handheld device called a transducer is passed over the breast, converting sound waves into electrical impulses....
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...
