Stool test

Transport vials filled with human feces for stool testing. Yellow and blue tops for parasite testing, red top for stool cultures and the white top was provided by the patient with the sample.

A stool test involves the collection and analysis of fecal matter to diagnose the presence or absence of a medical condition.

Gross (naked eye exam)

The patient and/or health care worker in the office or at the bedside is able to make some important observations.

Color -
Texture/consistency -

Fecal occult blood test

One of the most common stool tests, the fecal occult blood test can be used to diagnose many conditions that cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal system including colorectal cancer or stomach cancer.^[1]

Microbiology tests

Parasitic diseases such as ascariasis, hookworm, strongyloidiasis and whipworm can be diagnosed by examining stools under a microscope for the presence of worm larvae or eggs. Some bacterial diseases can be detected with a stool culture. Toxins from bacteria such as Clostridium difficile ('C. diff.') can also be identified. Viruses such as rotavirus can also be found in stools.^[2]

Chemical tests

A fecal pH test may be used to determine lactose intolerance or the presence of an infection.^[3] Steatorrhea can be diagnosed using a Fecal fat test that checks for the malabsorption of fat.^[4]

Faecal elastase levels are becoming the mainstay of pancreatitis diagnosis.

References

Surgical procedures involving the digestive system (ICD-9-CM V3 42–54, ICD-10-PCS 0D)

Digestive tract

Upper GI tract

SGs / Esophagus	Esophagectomy Heller myotomy Sialography Impedance–pH monitoring Esophageal pH monitoring Esophageal motility study

Stomach	Bariatric surgery Adjustable gastric band Gastric bypass surgery Sleeve gastrectomy Vertical banded gastroplasty surgery Collis gastroplasty Gastrectomy Billroth I Billroth II Roux-en-Y Gastroenterostomy Gastropexy Gastrostomy Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy Hill repair Nissen fundoplication Pyloromyotomy

Medical imaging	Endoscopy: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Barium swallow Upper gastrointestinal series

Lower GI tract

Small bowel	Bariatric surgery Duodenal switch Jejunoileal bypass Ileostomy Intestine transplantation Jejunostomy Partial ileal bypass surgery

Large bowel	Appendicectomy Colectomy Colonic polypectomy Colostomy Hartmann's operation

Rectum	Abdominoperineal resection / Miles operation Lower anterior resection Total mesorectal excision

Anal canal	Anal sphincterotomy Anorectal manometry Lateral internal sphincterotomy Rubber band ligation Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization

Medical imaging	Endoscopy: Colonoscopy Anoscopy Capsule endoscopy Enteroscopy Proctoscopy Sigmoidoscopy Abdominal ultrasonography Defecography Double-contrast barium enema Endoanal ultrasound Enteroclysis Lower gastrointestinal series Small-bowel follow-through Transrectal ultrasonography Virtual colonoscopy

Stool tests	Fecal fat test Fecal pH test Stool guaiac test

Accessory

Liver	Artificial extracorporeal liver support Bioartificial liver devices Liver dialysis Hepatectomy Liver biopsy Liver transplantation Portal hypertension Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt [TIPS] Distal splenorenal shunt procedure

Gallbladder, bile duct	Cholecystectomy Cholecystostomy ERCP Hepatoportoenterostomy Medical imaging: Cholangiography IV MRCP PTC Cholecystography Cholescintigraphy

Pancreas	Frey's procedure Pancreas transplantation Pancreatectomy Pancreaticoduodenectomy Puestow procedure

Abdominopelvic

Peritoneum	Diagnostic peritoneal lavage Intraperitoneal injection Laparoscopy Omentopexy Paracentesis Peritoneal dialysis

Hernia	Hernia repair: Inguinal hernia surgery Femoral hernia repair

Other

CPRs

Authority control	NDL: 00563667

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