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Diagnostic Test and Procedures


CT Scan : Computed Tomography is a specialized xray that produces pictures of a body part.  The xray tube rotates 360 degrees around the area being examined and focuses a narrow beam of xrays through the area of interest.

Ultrasound:  Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging modality which utilizes high frequency sound waves to image the different soft tissue organs and systems in the body.

Nuclear Medicine ( bone Scan, Renal Nuclear Scan, Nuclear Voiding Cystourethrogram)

Nuclear medicine scan, consist of a small quantity of radioactivity injected into a vein in the arm.  The cameras are used to see the radioactivity that localizes in different areas of the body.

MRI : is primarily a medical imaging technique most commonly used in radiology to visualize the structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than computed tomography (CT) does, making it especially useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological (cancer) imaging.

Bone Mineral Density Test : A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures the density of minerals (such as calcium) in your bones using a special X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or ultrasound. This information is used to estimate the strength of your bones.

Varicocele Embolization : Embolization is a procedure in which interventional radiologists intentionally block a blood vessel to divert blood flow. The procedure is an outpatient procedure, performed with local anesthesia and light sedation.

Percutaneous Nehprostomy Tube Insertion :  Percutaneous nephrostomy tube is a small, soft plastic tube.  It enters the skin in your flank to drain urine from the kidney.  The purpose of this tube is to relieve pressure in the kidney from urine that has backed up into it.  This tube is placed for many reasons.  Most of the time, there is some type of blockage that prevents urine from draining out of the kidney into the bladder.
 
Once in place, a nephrostomy tube needs to be changed every 6-8 weeks to make sure the tube keeps draining well.  This is a simple procedure that is done as an outpatient.

Penile Doppler Blood Flow Study : Penile Doppler Ultrasound is a procedure that is used to predict the response of your erectile dysfunction to vasodilator medications. It also allows the urologist to determine and document if you have an inflow or outflow type of erectile dysfunction.

Voiding Cystourethrogram : A voiding cystourethrogram is an x-ray image of the bladder and urethra during urination. The urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Usually, the urinary bladder does not show up well on x-rays. In this examination, a special contrast dye fills the bladder, to allow for better x-ray images.
X-ray images are taken in various positions with the bladder full of contrast dye. Images are then taken while the bladder is being emptied.

Urodynamics : Urodyanmics assessment amis to record the function of your bladder and its sphincter during the cycle of filling and emptying.  It consists of a combination of several tests each of which evaluates separate elements of bladder and sphincter function.


Referrals to the Vancouver Island Cancer Clinic


Patient’s complete medical chart, including most recent pathology reports and/or lab work is set to the main referral traige at the Vancouver Island Cancer Clinic.  Patient’s chart is then assessed by an oncologist to determine the urgency with which to be seen. Current waitlist to be assessed at the cancer clinic ranges from 2 to 6 weeks.