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Colonoscopy
Overview A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets a gastroenterologist examine the entire large intestine (colon) and the last part of the small intestine. A flexible scope with a camera is passed through the rectum upwards into the colon, under sedation. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing bowel diseases and for screening for bowel
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Endoscopy
Overview An upper GI endoscopy — also called gastroscopy or OGD — is a procedure that lets a gastroenterologist directly examine the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). A small flexible camera on a thin tube is passed through the mouth, with the patient under light sedation. It
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Pulmonary Function Test
Overview A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) measures how well your lungs are working — how much air they can hold, how quickly you can move air in and out, and how well oxygen passes from the lungs into your blood. It is the essential test for asthma, COPD, and many other lung conditions. Especially in
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MRI Scan
Overview An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan creates highly detailed images of the inside of the body without using radiation. It is particularly good for looking at soft tissues — the brain, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments, organs, and blood vessels — where it gives a clearer picture than X-ray or CT. At St. Stephen’s Hospital,
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CT Scan
Overview A CT (Computed Tomography) scan uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It is fast, widely used in emergencies, and excellent at showing bones, lungs, stomach, intestines and acute internal bleeding. It is one of the most commonly performed diagnostic scans in any hospital. At St. Stephen’s Hospital, CT is available for
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Ultrasound / Sonography
Overview Ultrasound — also called sonography — uses sound waves to produce live images of the inside of the body. It is safe, painless, uses no radiation, and is widely used in pregnancy, abdominal problems, gynaecological conditions, and assessment of blood flow. Most ultrasounds are performed by qualified radiologists or sonographers, with the report shared
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X-Ray
Overview An X-ray is the simplest, fastest, and most widely used medical imaging test. It is excellent for looking at bones — fractures, dislocations, arthritis — and is also routinely used for the chest, sinuses, dental, and abdominal problems. At St. Stephen’s Hospital, all X-rays are digital. Images are reviewed by a radiologist and the
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Biopsy Test
Overview A biopsy is the removal of a small tissue sample so that a pathologist can examine it under a microscope. It is often the most accurate way to diagnose a lump, an ulcer, or an unexplained imaging finding. It is the gold standard for diagnosing cancer. At St. Stephen’s Hospital, biopsies are performed by
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ECG (Electrocardiogram)
Overview An ECG (Electrocardiogram, sometimes called EKG) records the electrical activity of your heart. It is one of the most common tests in medicine — quick, painless, and remarkably informative for the size of a single piece of paper. An ECG is often the first test done when there are symptoms that could relate to
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ECHO (Echocardiogram)
Overview An echocardiogram — often called an ECHO or 2D Echo — is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows the size of the heart’s chambers, the structure and function of its valves, and how strongly it is pumping. It is one of the most useful cardiac tests available. At St. Stephen’s Hospital, echocardiograms
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