How do you 3rd years learn about diagnostic procedures?

[LoneSEAL]

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What is a good book to explain the different diagnostic procedures?

For example, today as part of my physical diagnosis class, I had a patient who possibly had sarcoidosis. In the chart, it said the patient had a subcarinal lymph node bopsy, right lung needle core biopsy, and right hilar lymph node dissection. I had no idea how one did such procedures so I tried looking them up in this big pulmonology book.

The book however just totally blew my mind out. I don't know what the heck thoracotomy, thoracoscopy, video assisted thorascoscopy, endobronchial bronchoscopy, transbronical broncoscopy, and transthoracic needle biopsy are. There is NO pictures and just a bunch of soporific text.

Is there a diagnostic book you third years use to look this stuff up? For example, a book that would explain what a right lung needle core biopsy is. I mean I still can't find out what a needle core is...

 

[mpp]

Although I'm not a third year, when I come across terms I don't know I do one of several things. Medical dictionaries are great to look up terms. Then there are a billion and one websites out there...do a google search for the term and start reading. There are specific websites (subscription only) that should be available through your school like MDConsult and Harrison's Online. There are also some good free ones such as www.emedicine.com that you can learn a lot from. Lastly, and probably most importantly, ask...that's what those people standing up in the front of the classroom are for. Or you can just figure it out many times. Needle core...sounds like the middle of a needle. I bet that means they stick a needle in and pull out some tissue. Right hilar lymph node biopsy...this must mean they biopsy some right hilar lymph nodes...and so on.

 

[mikecwru]

Originally posted by LoneSEAL
What is a good book to explain the different diagnostic procedures?

For example, today as part of my physical diagnosis class, I had a patient who possibly had sarcoidosis. In the chart, it said the patient had a subcarinal lymph node bopsy, right lung needle core biopsy, and right hilar lymph node dissection. I had no idea how one did such procedures so I tried looking them up in this big pulmonology book.

The book however just totally blew my mind out. I don't know what the heck thoracotomy, thoracoscopy, video assisted thorascoscopy, endobronchial bronchoscopy, transbronical broncoscopy, and transthoracic needle biopsy are. There is NO pictures and just a bunch of soporific text.

Is there a diagnostic book you third years use to look this stuff up? For example, a book that would explain what a right lung needle core biopsy is. I mean I still can't find out what a needle core is...

This stuff will come with time.

To biopsy is to take a sample of tissue for histological analysis. Most of the terms are describing where the biopsy was taken "subcarinal, hilar." When you take a biopsy, you can either aspirate which gives you jumbled fluid back or you can use a cutting needle that actual brings back a preserved section of tissue so you can look at the actual histological structure (think pap smear vs. a skin punch biopsy). With a core biopsy you can study depth of invasion of cancer. With an aspirate you can only see abnormal cells (cells floating in fluid).

Thoracotomy is when you cut the chest open. Most things ending in -oscopy involve the use of a camera inserted through a hole to guide procedures. as for endo vs trans, you're going into the bronchus. You can either go in through the mouth or stick a needle INTO the bronchus. Transthroracic means going through the chest.

Hope this helps. This all comes with time. I didn't do any CT surgery so I haven't seen any of this actually done... just a few bronchoscopies.

mike