What examinations will be performed on me? What exactly will be done with me? What is the purpose of these examinations?
Your examinations in our Institute follow a certain time schedule to guarantee an uncomplicated and smooth course for you. Deviations from this schedule are possible in principle (according to the examination modalities performed). The course of examinations will be explained once again to you in detail on your arrival in our Institute. Any questions that may arise can surely be clarified here.
Preliminary consultation
Welcome by our friendly, multilingual staff in our Institute.
Issue of a questionnaire, admission consultation with Dr. Klaß or one of his specialist colleagues. Discussion of the questionnaire, lifestyle and the individual case history, conditions running in the family, etc. You agree jointly with the physician which examinations will be performed. Any questions that may exist can be clarified here.
Magnetic resonance tomography of the skull and of the neck vessels
This examination serves to clarify the risk of a stroke and to detect possible diseases of the brain.
Magnetic resonance tomography of the lungs
To avoid possible risks of radiation exposure, we use magnetic resonance tomography in non-smokers to exclude pathological processes in the region of the lungs.
Magnetic resonance tomography of the upper abdomen and pelvis
Tumours and pathological changes, etc. of kidneys, liver and pancreas can be detected with this examination. The aorta (main artery of the body) is displayed to exclude an aneurysm (pathological widening of the vessels).
Laboratory analysis
The relevant values of blood, urine and a faeces sample are determined in the course of extensive laboratory analyses. These analyses enable information to be given about risk factors, tumour markers and organ functions.
Cardiological examination
with cardiac ultrasound, exercise ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Checking the cardiac functions in the resting and exercise stage provides information about disturbances or irregularities of the circulatory system. At the same time the functional capacity of the heart muscle and of the heart valves is examined.
Lung function test
Spirometry is a method for lung function testing. Here lung and tidal volumes are measured and displayed graphically. The lung volumes are determined with the aid of a spirometer. You breathe into a breathing tube through a mouthpiece, while your nose is closed with a nose clip. The spirometer measures electronically the force with which you breathe in and out, as well as the amount of air breathed per unit of time. The instrument depicts graphically the air volumes that are moved in these breaths. Thus the measurements from different tests can be compared directly with one another. Lung diseases can be diagnosed and their course controlled by measuring the lung volumes. The normal values depend upon height, sex and age.
It is possible to distinguish mainly between the two main groups of lung diseases:
- Obstructive lung diseases: They are caused by a constriction of the respiratory system, e.g. due to asthma.
- Restrictive lung diseases: Here the expansion and retraction of the lungs and/or thorax are reduced. Examples are lung hardening (pulmonary fibrosis), collections of liquid in the pleural cavity (pleural effusion) or paralysis of the diaphragm (phrenoplegia).
Computed tomography of the heart (calcium score)
Together with the other examinations, the calcium scoring performed allows an accurate estimate of the risk of a heart attack. This procedure is recommended by the scientific societies (e.g. European Society of Cardiology or American College of Cardiology). Calcium scoring is performed only in selected patients. The use of a completely new dose-saving computer tomograph together with dose modulation during data acquisition leads to very low radiation exposure of the patient (1-2 mSv).
Calcium scoring is performed only once in the lifetime of patients more than 45 years old. This examination is performed on recommendation of the cardiologist. The patient must have at least 1 risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in this case.
Computed tomography of the coronary vessels with contrast medium
This examination serves for the direct display of the coronary vessels. This examination should be performed only if abnormalities are determined in the cardiological examination indicating a circulatory disturbance of the heart. This examination can replace a cardiac catheter examination in some cases.
Computed tomography of the lungs in risk patients such as heavy smokers
Computed tomography of the lungs allows reliable statements about pathological changes of the lung structure (e.g. fibrosis, tumours, pathological lymph node changes, etc.). For radiation protection reasons, only patients who are older than 40 years and have smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for at least 10 years (10 pack years) are examined. The examination is performed as ultra-low dose CT. Since 2004 lung cancer screening on the basis of the ELCAP study is generally recommended, since 85% of the lung tumours can be detected in an early stage (I) by this.
Urological examination
On request we offer you a urological examination of the urine-forming and urinary organs (kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra). Testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicles and penis can also be examined.
The urological assessment of the prostate gland, which can frequently be enlarged especially in older persons, stands in the foreground.
Gynaecological examination
On request we also offer women a gynaecological examination. In addition to the MRT examinations of the pelvis by means of ultrasound, palpation examination and visual appraisal with speculum, the vagina, the uterine orifice and the womb can be assessed from a gynaecological viewpoint. In addition it is possible to take tissue samples (bite biopsy) and cells from the mucosal surface (smear).
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