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Procedures & Tests Beginning With D
5 procedures and tests in this guide begin with the letter D. Every name links to a plain-language page covering what the procedure is, how to prepare, what happens during it, and what recovery involves.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X
| Procedure / test | Category | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Defecating proctogram (evacuation study) | Digestive | A defecating proctogram (defecography) is an X-ray or MRI study that films the back passage and pelvic floor in action as you empty a paste that mimics stool, showing how the structures move during defecation. |
| DEXA bone density scan | Imaging & Scans | A DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan measures bone density using very low-dose X-rays, usually at the hip and spine. The result helps assess bone strength and the risk of fractures. |
| Diabetic eye screening (retinal photography) | Screening | Diabetic eye screening takes digital photographs of the retina (back of the eye) to look for diabetic retinopathy — damage to retinal blood vessels from diabetes — at an early, treatable stage. It is offered annually (or at longer intervals after repeated normal results in some programmes) to everyone with diabetes from age 12. |
| Dialysis fistula creation (AV fistula surgery) | Kidney & Dialysis | This operation joins an artery directly to a vein, usually in the arm. Over the following weeks the vein enlarges and strengthens ('matures') under the higher blood flow, creating a durable access that needles can be placed into for haemodialysis. |
| Dilatation and curettage (D&C) | Women's Health | A D&C is a minor operation in which the neck of the womb (cervix) is gently opened (dilatation) and the lining of the womb is sampled or cleared with a curette or suction device. It is often combined with hysteroscopy so the womb can be seen directly. |
Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.