Tests and Investigations

Patient UK has an extensive section of leaflets on tests and investigations. They include explanations of blood tests, X-rays, scans, endoscopy, etc.

Other UK sources of information about tests and investigations

Lab Tests Online UK

Lab Tests Online UK is designed to help you, the patient, to better understand the many clinical lab tests that are part of routine care as well as diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of conditions and diseases. The site has developed from a partnership between the Association of Clinical Biochemists (a long established UK association) and the American Association of Clinical Chemistry.

The Royal College of Radiologists

Provide a lot of patient information. Including

Information Leaflets on Diagnostic Radiological Procedures. This includes information on Chest X-ray, CT Scan, Barium Enema, MRI Scan, Barium Meal, Bone Scan, Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) or Intravenous Urogram (IVU), X-ray of the Pelvis, Ultrasound Scan, Intussusception Reduction, Isotope Kidney (Renal) Scan (DMSA scan), Isotope Lung Scan, Isotope Renogram (MAG 3 renogram or DTPA renogram).
Information Leaflets on Interventional Radiology Procedures. This includes information on Angiography, Angioplasty, Antegrade Ureteric Stenting, Fallopian Tube Recanalisation, Insertion of a Vena Cava Filter, Oesophageal Stent Insertion, Percutaneous Abscess Drainage, Percutaneous Biliary Drainage, Percutaneous Biopsy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous Nephrostomy, Thrombolysis, TIPSS, Varicocele Embolisation, Percutaneous Gastrostomy, Fibroid Embolisation.
A section called 'goingfora.com' - a tour round a virtual radiology department giving information and insight into what happens during various tests and investigations.
Commonly Asked Questions in Radiology

Angioplasty and Stent - Patient Information

Information from The Vascular Society regarding angioplasty and stent.

Arteriogram

Information from The Vascular Society regarding arteriograms.

NHS Screening

Gateway to information on screening in the UK. for example, information about screening tests for certain cancers, sexually transmitted infections, diseases in childhood, etc.

UK National Screening Committee

Information about vaious screening tests, and research into screening.

Breast Screening Programme (the NHS)

Aims to reduce the number of women who die from breast cancer by detecting abnormalities early enough to give a better prognosis and wider choice of options for treatment. Produces and distributes publications, cassettes, leaflets and videos.

Breast Screening

Directgov is the website of the UK government for its citizens, providing information and online services for the public all in one place. They provide a wide range of information including one in this area.

NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

England: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel/index.html
Scotland: www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk
Wales: www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/home.cfm?orgid=747
Northern Ireland - watch out for news at www.cancerni.net

Screening for cancer

Information leaflets from the Department of Health's website. Titles include:

Bowel cancer screening: the facts
Bowel cancer screening the colonoscopy investigation
Be breast aware
An easy guide to breast screening
Breast screening: Over 70? You are still entitled to breast screening
An easy guide to cervical screening
Cervical Screening Programme: What your abnormal result means

Bowel Cancer Screening: Your Choices

Information leaflet from Beating Bowel Cancer.

'Full-body' CT scans: Are they worth the cost in money and radiation exposure?

From the 'Behind the Medical Headlines' website developed to provide authoritative and independent expert commentaries on topical medical matters reported in the international media. Produced by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

British Heart Foundation

Provide various information leaflets on heart tests and investigations.

British Thoracic Society

Is a professional organisation for doctors who specialise in chest diseases, but the patient information section of their website provides information on a number of topics including: Bronchoscopy, Transbronchial Biopsy, Lung Needle Biopsy.

British Brain and Spine Foundation

Have very good information booklets which you can download. Titles include: Angiograms, MRI Scan, CT Scan, Neurophysiology.

EdRenINFO

Information provided by the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Renal Unit for patients and for doctors who are not renal specialists. This site includes information about many kidney problems including kidney biopsy.

CancerHelp UK

CancerHelp UK is a free information service about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families. It is brought to you by Cancer Research UK. Their website includes comprehensive, authoritative information on procedures related to cancer care.

Royal Marsden

A leading UK cancer centre, recognised worldwide for the quality of its services. Site includes comprehensive, authoritative information on procedures related to cancer care. See their Patient Information section.

Health Talk Online

Healthtalkonline, is an award-winning charity website, which lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. The information is based on qualitative research into patient experiences led by experts at the University of Oxford and includes a module on:

Cystoscopy

This site is edited by Derek McLintock, BSc MB BS FRCOG, a Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician based in Hertfordshire, UK.

About Your Hysteroscopy

This site is edited by Derek McLintock, BSc MB BS FRCOG, a Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician based in Hertfordshire, UK.

Laparoscopy

This site is edited by Derek McLintock, BSc MB BS FRCOG, a Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician based in Hertfordshire, UK.

PPP Healthcare

Information about private healthcare but their website has information about a range of conditions, investigations and surgical procedures.

BUPA

Information about private healthcare but their website has information about a range of conditions, investigations and surgical procedures.

Home Health UK Ltd

Provides simple, reliable health tests, which can be easily carried out in the home. Tests available range from allergy tests to prostate disorder tests.

BMJ (British Medical Journal)

See the Imaging Techniques section of their collected resources. Aimed a doctors but of use to the general reader. In particular, see the series of articles called 'ABC of interventional cardiology'.

colposcopy.co.uk

Private clinic but their website provides information on colposcopy, the smear test, dyskaryosis, dysplasia, abnormal smear results, the wart virus, HPV, LLETZ, and cervical cancer.

Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy)

A patient guide to complement the NICE national guideline for health professionals called Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy).

Wireless capsule endoscopy for investigation of the small bowel

A patient guide to complement the NICE national guideline for health professionals called Wireless capsule endoscopy for investigation of the small bowel.

King's College Hospital

Provides information on various tests and procedures including:

Coronary Angiogram
Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Having a Pacemaker Fitted
Adenoidectomy
Tonsillectomy
Arthroscopy
Apicectomy
Colonoscopy
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Gastroscopy
Laparoscopy
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Vaginal Hysterectomy
Chemotherapy
Lumbar Sympathectomy
Renal Angiogram
Bronchoscopy

Cambridge University Hospital

Provides information on various tests and procedures including:

Arthroscopy of the jaw joint
Biopsies
Elbow Arthroscopy
Endoscopy
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography) for inpatients
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography) for outpatients
EUS (Endoscopic ultrasound) for inpatients
EUS (Endoscopic ultrasound) for outpatients
Gastroscopy
Knee Arthoscopy
MRI Scan
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Ultrasound - EUS (Endoscopic ultrasound)
What is a PET/CT scan?
Sigmoidoscopy

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust

Provides information on various tests and procedures including:

Arthroscopy of the Knee
Cystoscopy And Optical Urethrotomy
Cystoscopy And Urethral Dilation In Men
Cystoscopy And Urethral Dilation In Women
Endometrial Biopsy
Fasting Blood Tests
Flexible Cystoscopy
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy
Haematology Tests
Laparoscopy
Lower Limb Arthroscopy
Oral (Mouth) Biopsy
Rigid Cystoscopy
Semen Analysis
Upper Limb Arthroscopy
Vulval Biopsy

Virtual Colonoscopy

St Mark's Hospital and academic institute from The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust produce a wide range of patient information leaflets including one in this area.

Ankle Arthroscopy

This site is dedicated to conditions of the ankle joint that are treated by Simon Moyes. Patients can find all the information they need about some of the more common ankle problems, while surgeons and medical professionals can find an up-to-date medical resource for those involved in or studying ankle arthroscopy.

Jaw Arthroscopy

Information from the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Medicine Guide for Ultrasound

Provides detailed information about the drugs available to treat this condition. Medicine Guides provide reliable information about medicines, conditions and the different treatment options available. They have been developed in the UK as part of the Medicines Information Project.