Other services and Procedures

The Department of Internal Medicine at Aster Whitefield Hospital also excels in some specialized services and procedures that include;

Pleural fluid aspiration

The pleural cavity is a thin, fluid-filled space between the lungs and the chest wall. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid in the pleural cavity that helps lubricate the lungs and chest wall during breathing. However, in some medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, pneumonia, cancer, or trauma, excess fluid can accumulate in the pleural cavity, leading to difficulty breathing and chest pain.

Pleural fluid aspiration is a medical procedure where the doctor inserts a needle through the chest wall and into the space between the lungs and the chest wall to remove excess fluid that has accumulated in the pleural cavity.

The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and with the guidance of imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT scan to minimize the risk of complications.

Uses and merits of pleural fluid aspiration:

Pleural fluid aspiration can help relieve symptoms caused by the excess fluid and also allows doctors to analyze the fluid to help diagnose the underlying condition.

Relieving symptoms: Excess fluid in the pleural cavity can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing. Removing the fluid can alleviate these symptoms and improve breathing.

Diagnosing underlying conditions: The analysis of the pleural fluid can help identify the underlying cause of the fluid accumulation, such as infection, cancer, or heart failure.

Ascitic tapping

Ascitic tapping, also known as abdominal paracentesis, is a medical procedure that involves the removal of excess fluid that accumulates in the abdominal cavity, a condition called ascites. This procedure is usually performed to relieve symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, difficulty breathing, or swelling caused by the buildup of excess fluid.

During the procedure, a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity, and the fluid is withdrawn using a syringe. The fluid is then sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine the cause of the ascites, which may include liver disease, heart failure, or cancer, or infections.

Ascitic tapping is typically done under local anesthesia, and the patient may be asked to empty their bladder beforehand. The patient needs to remain still during the procedure to avoid complications such as bleeding or injury to nearby organs.

Uses and merits of Ascitic tapping:

 It can provide rapid relief of symptoms caused by ascites and help identify the underlying cause of the condition, which can guide further treatment decisions.

Lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal cord to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Before the procedure, the patient is given a local anesthetic to numb the area. The needle is then inserted into the spinal canal, and a small amount of CSF is removed.

Uses and merits of Lumbar puncture:

Diagnostic use: Lumbar puncture is used to diagnose a variety of neurological conditions, such as meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and certain types of cancer that affect the brain and spinal cord. The procedure can also be used to measure the pressure of the CSF, which can be useful in diagnosing conditions like hydrocephalus.

Therapeutic use: In addition to diagnosis, lumbar puncture can also be used therapeutically to relieve pressure on the brain or spinal cord caused by conditions like hydrocephalus or pseudotumor cerebri. In some cases, medications can be injected directly into the CSF during the procedure to treat certain conditions.

lumbar puncture is a relatively safe and low-risk procedure that can provide valuable diagnostic and therapeutic information for a variety of neurological conditions.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy:

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are medical procedures that are used to collect and examine a small sample of bone marrow tissue. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside our bones and is responsible for the production of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

During a bone marrow aspiration, a needle is inserted into the bone and a small amount of liquid bone marrow is drawn out. This procedure is usually done on the hip bone. The liquid bone marrow is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities in the blood cells or other cells in the bone marrow.

During a bone marrow biopsy, a larger needle is inserted into the bone and a small sample of solid bone marrow tissue is removed. This sample is also examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities in the cells.

Uses and merits of Bone marrow Aspiration and Biopsy: Both bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are typically done together as they provide complementary information about the bone marrow. The procedures are often done to help diagnose and monitor blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, as well as other conditions, such as anemia, infections, and some types of cancers.

Although the procedures may sound painful, local anesthesia is used to numb the area and patients generally experience only mild discomfort.