Tests & Procedures
Outside of a surgery, you may be scheduled for a specific test or procedure at one of our clinics. Find more information on each test/procedure below. ​If you have further questions, please consult your care team.
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Jump to your procedure:​
PET-CT Scan
A PET - CT scan is a type of medical imaging that combines 2 tests - a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and a Computed Tomography (CT). During a PET - CT scan, you receive an injection of a radioactive material called a tracer. This injection is given through an intravenous line (IV) put into one of your veins. The tracer collects in an area of your body, where it gives off a small amount of energy. The PET – CT scanner finds this energy and makes a picture of your body’s organs and tissues, showing areas where the tracer ‘lights up’ during the scan. Cancer usually lights up more than other areas in the body.
A PET - CT scan is used to help:
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Diagnose disease.
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Plan for treatment.
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Find out how well treatment is working.
You need to be at the hospital for about 3 hours to have the scan completed.
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Please review the below handout prior to your PET - CT scan. It is important you follow all provided instructions to make sure the scan can be done. It is possible the scan would need to be rescheduled if you are not prepared to have it. Following the instructions also helps the best possible pictures to be taken during the scan.
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​PET - CT scans are performed at Lakeridge Health Oshawa.
Having a Bronchoscopy and Mediastinoscopy Procedure
A bronchoscopy is a procedure that uses a bronchoscope (a thin, flexible tube) which is inserted through your mouth and down into your throat and trachea. This allows the surgeon to examine your airways – from your nose down into your lungs. A mediastinoscopy uses a mediastinoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera) to look at the mediastinum (the areas in your chest between your lungs). The mediastinoscope is inserted through a small incision in your neck. ​​​​​​​
A bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy procedure allows your surgeon to :
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Check for lung disease, infections, and cancer.
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Evaluate the size or spread of cancer.
You will be under an anesthetic (put to sleep) for this procedure. During this procedure, the surgeon removes a small amount of your tissue or lymph nodes (glands). The tissue is sent to a laboratory for testing. The tissue may be benign or malignant. Benign means it is not cancer. Malignant means it is cancer.
Having a CT Guided Biopsy
A CT Scan image is used to guide a needle into the area of your body that is to be biopsied. This needle is used to remove a small amount of your tissue that will be tested for abnormal cells.
On the day of your CT Guided Biopsy,
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You will check in at reception desk of the Diagnostic Imaging department. The Diagnostic Imaging department is located in the G-wing on the main floor of the hospital.
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Bring your health card and a list of your medications with you.
Having your CT Guided Biopsy
​You will lie down on the CT scanner bed. An intravenous (IV) line will be put into one of your veins. Medications will be given to you through your IV to help you relax and keep you comfortable. You will be awake while your biopsy is done.
The radiologist (X-ray doctor) will use the images taken with the CT Scan to guide a small needle to the area of your body that is to be biopsied. This area is cleaned and then frozen (numbed) with an injection of a local anesthetic. The Radiologist will insert the needle into the area to be biopsied.​
Small samples of your cells or tissue will be removed. This is not painful but you will feel some pressure as these samples are taken. This area will be covered with a dressing. It will take about an hour for you to have your biopsy done.
You will stay in the hospital for about 2 to 3 hours after your CT Guided Biopsy. You may have a chest x-ray again before you go home. The nurse will give you any instructions you need before you go home
Having an Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Procedure
A bronchoscope (a thin, flexible tube) with an ultrasound device is put into your mouth and into your trachea during an EBUS procedure. This allows your doctor to see inside and around your:
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Trachea (windpipe)
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Mediastinum (the space between your lungs)
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Lungs​​​​​​​​​​​
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During the EBUS procedure, small samples of your lymph nodes may be removed (biopsies). This procedure is used to diagnose lung cancer, infections, and other diseases that cause lymph nodes in your chest to grow.
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On the day of your EBUS procedure,
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Continue to drink clear fluids. This includes water, black coffee or tea (you may add sugar or sweetener but no milk or cream), sports drinks (no red or purple), carbonated drinks, pulp free fruit juices (no orange juice). Stop drinking fluids 3 hours before the scheduled time of your EBUS procedure.
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Take your regular medications (unless your doctor or nurse tells you something different).
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Bring your health card, a list of your medications, and medications you need to take while you are at the hospital with you.
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Having the EBUS Procedure
You will be lying on a stretcher for this procedure. An intravenous (IV) line will be put into one of your veins. You will be given a light general anesthetic (put to sleep) and the doctor will spray the back of your throat with an anesthetic (freezing). A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is put through your mouth and down into your airway. The bronchoscope allows your doctor to see the lymph nodes in your chest so they can take biopsies.
Esophageal pH / Manometry (motility) Study
An esophageal manometry test is a study of your esophageal motility (motor function). Muscles in your esophagus move food down to your stomach when you swallow and keep it from coming back up, but certain esophageal disorders can interfere with this process, causing swallowing problems and reflux.​
Your healthcare provider might want to check your esophageal motility if you’ve been having issues related to swallowing or keeping food and other substances down in your stomach.
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An esophageal pH study measures the amount of acid getting into your esophagus to try and make sure symptoms you are having are related to reflux and help decide if anti-reflux surgery would help.
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You may be having an esophageal manometry study OR an esophageal manometry and 24-hour ambulatory study. Both types of studies take place at University Health Network (UHN).
Having a Thoracentesis
A thoracentesis is a procedure that allows the buildup of fluid between your lungs and chest wall (called a pleural effusion) drain out. This buildup of fluid can make you feel short of breath (have difficulty breathing).
A thin needle with a small tube attached to it is placed in between your ribs and into the space around your lungs. The fluid drains out through the small tube. Having a thoracentesis will make it easier for you to breathe. It also allows your doctor get a sample of the fluid for testing.​​​​​​​​
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On the day of your thoracentesis,
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Drink fluids and eat your normal diet before your thoracentesis. You do not need to ‘fast’ for a thoracentesis.
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Plan to have someone come with you to this appointment. This is not needed but may be helpful for you.
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Bring your health card and a list of the medications you are taking.
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Having your thoracentesis
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. The doctor and nurse will explain how a thoracentesis is done and answer your questions. You will be awake during your thoracentesis. A nurse will care for you while you have your thoracentesis. You will sit at the side of the bed with your arms resting on a table and the doctor will use an ultrasound machine to see the fluid around your lung. An area of skin on your back will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. You will receive two needles. The first needle has medication in it that freezes (numbs) the area so you do not feel the thoracentesis needle going in. The thoracentesis needle has a small tube attached to it. The fluid drains out through this small tube and into a container. The draining of the fluid may cause you to cough. The needle and small tube are removed after the fluid has drained out and a small dressing is placed over the site where the fluid drained out.
Having an Endoscopy
Endoscopy procedures include: bronchoscopy and gastroscopy. Your surgeon will tell you what procedure you are having.
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The day before your endoscopy procedure,
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Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your procedure. This includes water, gum and candy.
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Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before your procedure.
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Do not smoke for 24 hours before your procedure.
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If you take medication to manage diabetes – do not take this medication after midnight the day before your procedure.
An adult must drive you home from the hospital and stay with you for 24 hours. Your procedure will be cancelled if you have not planned for this.
Pulmonary Function Test
These are painless breathing tests which are usually used to make sure you have enough lung capacity for lung surgery to be safe. You will sometimes need to do an exercise test as well. It is very important that you follow the instructions provided by the lab to prepare for the test.
What to Expect During the Test
The appointment typically lasts between 30 and 90 minutes. A respiratory therapist will coach you through various maneuvers:
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Equipment: You will sit in a chair and wear a soft nose clip to ensure you breathe only through your mouth.
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Spirometry: You will take the deepest breath possible and then blast the air out as hard and fast as you can into a tube connected to a machine.
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Lung Volumes: You may sit in a clear, airtight booth (body plethysmography) that looks like a phone booth to measure total lung capacity.
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Diffusion Study: You will inhale a tiny, safe amount of tracer gas, hold your breath for about 10 seconds, and then exhale to see how well oxygen moves into your blood.
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Effort: These tests require maximal effort to be accurate. You may be asked to repeat maneuvers several times.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
These tests are usually used to make sure a cancer has not spread to the brain, but can sometimes be used to look at other organs as well.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a non-invasive medical test that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed 3D images of your organs and tissues without the use of ionizing radiation.
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Preparing for Your MRI​
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Remove All Metal: Because the MRI is a giant magnet, you must remove all metallic items, including jewelry, watches, hearing aids, dentures, and hairpins.
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Special Clothing: You will likely be asked to change into a hospital gown. Some athletic wear (like yoga pants) and undergarments contain metallic fibers that can heat up and cause burns during the scan.
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Medical Implants: It is critical to inform the medical team if you have any implanted devices, such as a pacemaker, cochlear implant, aneurysm clip, or medication pump.
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What to Expect During the Procedure
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Environment: You will lie on a flat bed that slides into a tube-like scanner that is open at both ends.
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Loud Noises: The machine makes loud tapping, thumping, and clicking sounds. You will be provided with earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing and potentially listen to music.
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Remaining Still: You must lie perfectly still to prevent the images from blurring.
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Communication: You can communicate with the technologists through an intercom system throughout the scan.
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Duration: Most exams take between 15 and 60 minutes.
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Special Considerations
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Claustrophobia: If you are nervous in tight spaces, discuss a mild sedative with your doctor beforehand. If you take a sedative, you must arrange for someone to drive you home.
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Contrast Material: Some scans require an injection of a contrast agent (gadolinium) to highlight specific tissues. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or a history of allergic reactions to contrast.
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Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Notify your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. While MRI is generally considered safe during pregnancy, it is often avoided in the first trimester unless urgent.