| Common Medical Tests for Scleroderma |
| These are commonly used for diagnosing or treating symptoms of Systemic Scleroderma |
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| Blood Tests |
| Antibody Tests. ISN. |
| BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) Test. University of Michigan Health System (Also see Renal Involvement) |
| Blood (Serum) Creatinine Test. University of Michigan Health System (Also see Renal Involvement) |
| Lab Tests Online. A public resource for clinical lab tests. Search for a specific test and learn more about it. Lab Tests Online. |
| Antiphospholipid Antibodies (aPL) And Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis And Systemic Sclerosis. The frequency of aPL was high in rheumatic diseases. The titres of aPL were higher in rheumatic diseases than controls and in patients with APS manifestations than without. A full positive profile with high titres more likely identified patients at higher risk of APS related events. N. A. Fathi AB0974-AHP. EULAR 2008. (Also see: Antibodies) |
| Liver function tests. These tests help in the diagnosis of any liver conditions, whether there are symptoms and signs like jaundice, itchiness, enlarged liver as well as the monitoring of the progress and severity of existing liver conditions. The Star Online: Lifestyle. 11/01/06. |
| Serum Sodium A test that measures the amount of sodium in the blood, which can be used in the diagnosis of many conditions, including pleural effusion. 1UpHealth. |
| VEGF: Elevated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Systemic Sclerosis. The extent of skin sclerosis may contribute to the elevation of serum VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and high VEGF levels may serve as a surrogate indicator of capillary damage in SSc. J Rheumatol NO. 7 JULY 2003;30:1529-33. |
| Soluble Adhesion Molecules (VCAM-1, E-Selectin), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Endothelin-1 in Serum of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Serum levels of sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, VEGF and ET-1 may reflect the extent of internal organ involvement in SSc patients and points to a pathogenic role of these molecules in systemic manifestation of the disease. A. Kuryliszyn-Moskal. FRI0286 EULAR 2004. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma) |
| Vein Viewer by Luminetx. The VeinViewer by Luminetx™ uses a combination of near-infrared light and patented technologies to image vascular structures, thus allowing physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to clearly see accessible vasculature (or lack thereof) in real time, directly on the surface of the skin. Luminetx™ |
| Cardiac (Heart) |
| Cardiology Tests and Procedures Dozens of cardiac tests clearly explained, including Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Surgery (CABG), Dobutamine Stress Test, Echocardiogram (ECHO), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Electrophysiology Study (EPS), Heart Valve Disorders, Holter Monitoring, Nuclear Medicine Treadmill, Stress Tests (Cardiolite or Thallium), Nuclear Medicine IV Persantine, Stress Test (IVP), Pacemakers, Percutaneous Transluminal, Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Signal-Averaged Electrocardiogram, (SAEKG), Stents, Stress Echocardiogram, Transesophageal Echocardiogram, (TEE), and Treadmill Stress Test. Torrance Memorial Medical Center. |
| Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram (also called an echo) is a type of ultrasound test that uses high-pitched sound waves that are sent through a device called a transducer. The device picks up echoes of the sound waves as they bounce off the different parts of your heart. These echoes are turned into moving pictures of your heart that can be seen on a video screen. WebMD. |
| Electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. WebMD. |
| What Are Holter and Event Monitors? Holter and event monitors are medical devices that record the heart's electrical activity. They are similar to an EKG, both instead of recording the heart's electrical activity for a few second, they record the electrical activity over several days. National Heart Blood and Lung Institute. |
| Capillaroscopy |
However, very few doctors know how to do a nailfold exam! |
Viewing the nailfolds with special instruments can disclose certain abnormalities of the small blood vessels, and specific findings can be very useful in diagnosing, classifying and staging forms of systemic scleroderma. |
| Unfortunately, in the U.S. such testing is frequently not covered by insurance companies, so there is widespread reluctance to do nailfold testing -- even though it is a very quick, easy, noninvasive, and economical way to diagnose and classify systemic forms of scleroderma. |
There are occasional patients with changes visible to naked eye. Unfortunately, many doctors mistake prominent venular system (not signficant) with these changes. About 95% of patients need a nailfold exam with magnifying glass or ophthalmoscope on high diopter with oil or KY jelly on the nailbed to assess properly. However, very few doctors do this or even know how. (Also see: What is Scleroderma? and Symptoms of Scleroderma) |
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| Gastrointestinal |
| Upper Endoscopy, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). MedicineNet (Also see Gastrointestinal Involvement) |
| Esophageal Dilation Esophageal dilatation is the technique used to stretch or open the blocked portion of the esophagus. Jackson Gastroenterology |
| By combining different CT views, radiologists can better evaluate the GI tract. Combined evaluation of transverse images--horizontal slices of a standing body--and multiplanar coronal reformats--vertical slices from head to foot--from CT scans give radiologists more information about the GI tract to better diagnose problems. InnovationsReport. 05/05/06. |
| Esophageal dilatation on CT imaging can indicate scleroderma. The positive predictive value of esophageal dilatation for the diagnosis of SSc was 83 per cent and the negative predictive value was 69 per cent. MedicExchange.com. 09/03/08. |
| Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in the investigation of intestinal Behcet's syndrome. WCE technique may guide treatment and provide a better understanding of intestinal pathology in BS. S. S. Hamdulay. Rheumatology Advance Access. June 11, 2008. (Also see: Behcet's). |
| Camera in a pill offers cheaper, easier window on your insides. This scanning device rather than an endoscope is cheap because it's so small it doesn't require anesthesia and sedation, UWNews.org. 01/24/08. (Also see: Barrett's Esophagus) |
| General |
| Dubious Diagnostic Tests Stephen Barrett, M.D. |
| Scleroderma: Health Services Utilization from Patients' Perspective. Less than half of patients were diagnosed by a rheumatologist and time to diagnosis from onset of symptoms has remained unchanged over the last 3 decades. Despite their complex, multisystemic disease, less than 50% of patients see sub-specialists or had baseline screening tests for organ involvement of their systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol 2006 June;33:1123–7. (Also see: Difficult Diagnosis) |
| Imaging (CT, MRI) |
| Computerized tomography—also called CT, CT scan and CAT scan—is an X-ray technique that produces more detailed images of your internal organs than do conventional X-ray exams. Mayo Clinic. |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your head and body. Your doctor uses these detailed, clear images to identify and diagnose a wide range of conditions. Mayo Clinic. |
| Toxicity of radiotherapy(RT) in patients with collagen vascular disease(CVD). Although generally well tolerated, RT in the setting of CVD appears to carry a higher risk of late toxicity. (Wiley Interscience) Cancer, 27 May 2008 (Also see: Scleroderma and Cancer) |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hand in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The visualization of pathology of hands was better with MRI and detailed lesions which were difficult to interpretate with clinical investigation or not visible with X-ray. M. N. Starovoytova. SAT0240 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Muscle and Joint Involvement) |
| Medications |
| The Drug Information Search Page The Detroit Medical Center |
| Medications For others, see the symptoms pages. ISN. |
| Pulmonary (Lung) |
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| Chest X-Ray A chest x-ray is usually done for the evaluation of lungs, heart and chest wall. Pneumonia, heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer and other medical conditions can be diagnosed or suspected on a chest x-ray. RadiologyInfo (Also see: Pulmonary Involvement) |
| Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) A test designed to measure how well the lungs are working. MedicineNet. |
| Pulmonary Function Tests. Pulmonary function tests are tests performed to make measurements of how your lungs and airways function. Results from pulmonary function tests enable your physician to evaluate your breathing, make diagnosis, recommend treatment and follow your progress. This article tells you how to prepare for the test and how it is conducted. National Jewish Medical and Research Center. |
| Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs). A PFT report provides a wealth of measurements; however, in the final analysis, only a few of these are necessary to make a pretty good assessment of the patient's condition. James Allen, MD. |
| Thoracentesis Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest. Normally, very little fluid is present in this space. An accumulation of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura is called a pleural effusion. Medline (Also see: Pleural Effusion) |
| Medical Records & References |
| Medical Tests & Tools: A to Z. WebMD. |
| VitalKey. The easiest way for you to protect yourself and your family from many of these errors is to ensure that any doctors who treat you have the accurate, current information they need— when they need it— about your medical history. VitalKey. |
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