Lab Abbreviations A–Z

868 entries.

#

+ve

positive

-ve

negative

5-HIAA

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid

99mTc

technetium-99m

°C

degrees Celsius

A

AA

aplastic anaemia; amino acid; amyloid A; aortic arch; atomic absorption (spectrophotometry)

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm

AAFB

acid- and alcohol-fast bacilli

Ab

antibody

ABG

arterial blood gas

Abn

abnormal

ABO

ABO blood group system

ABPA

allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

AC

air conduction; before meals (ante cibum)

ACD

anaemia of chronic disease; acid citrate dextrose (anticoagulant)

ACE

angiotensin-converting enzyme

ACEI

angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

ACh

acetylcholine

AChE

acetylcholinesterase (red cell cholinesterase)

AChRAb

acetylcholine receptor antibody

ACL

anticardiolipin antibody (aCL); anterior cruciate ligament

ACPA

anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (measured as anti-CCP)

ACR

albumin:creatinine ratio

ACS

acute coronary syndrome

ACTH

adrenocorticotrophic hormone

ADA

adenosine deaminase; American Diabetes Association

ADC

apparent diffusion coefficient

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ADP

adenosine diphosphate

AF

atrial fibrillation; amniotic fluid

AFP

alpha-fetoprotein

Ag

antigen

AICD

automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AIH

autoimmune hepatitis

AIHA

autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

AIN

anal intraepithelial neoplasia; acute interstitial nephritis

AIP

acute intermittent porphyria; autoimmune pancreatitis

AKI

acute kidney injury

ALD

adrenoleucodystrophy; alcohol-related liver disease

ALL

acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

ALP

alkaline phosphatase

ALT

alanine aminotransferase

AMA

antimitochondrial antibody

AML

acute myeloid leukaemia

ANA

antinuclear antibody

ANAE

alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase

ANCA

antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

ANNA

anti-neuronal nuclear antibody

AP

anteroposterior; action potential; alkaline phosphatase

APCR

activated protein C resistance

APKD

adult polycystic kidney disease (now autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, ADPKD)

APP

amyloid precursor protein

APS

antiphospholipid syndrome

APTR

activated partial thromboplastin time ratio

APTT

activated partial thromboplastin time

APVD

anomalous pulmonary venous drainage

AR

aortic regurgitation

ARB

angiotensin II receptor blocker

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

acute renal failure (now acute kidney injury, AKI); acute rheumatic fever

ARMS

amplification refractory mutation system

ASCA

anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody

ASD

atrial septal defect

ASH

alcoholic steatohepatitis

ASIS

anterior superior iliac spine

ASMA

anti-smooth muscle antibody

ASO

antistreptolysin O

ASOT

antistreptolysin O titre

AST

aspartate aminotransferase; antimicrobial susceptibility testing

AT

antithrombin

AT-II

angiotensin II

ATN

acute tubular necrosis

AV

atrioventricular; arteriovenous

AVM

arteriovenous malformation

AVN

avascular necrosis

AVP

arginine vasopressin

AVSD

atrioventricular septal defect

AXR

abdominal X-ray

AZT

azidothymidine (zidovudine)

B

BAEP

brainstem auditory evoked potential

BAER

brainstem auditory evoked response

BAL

bronchoalveolar lavage

BC

bone conduction; blood culture

BCG

bacille Calmette–Guérin

bd

twice daily (bis die)

bDNA

branched DNA (signal amplification assay)

BI-RADS

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

BIPLED

bilateral independent periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges

BJP

Bence Jones protein

BM

bone marrow

BMI

body mass index

BMT

bone marrow transplant

BOLD

blood oxygen level-dependent (imaging)

BP

blood pressure

BPH

benign prostatic hyperplasia

bpm

beats per minute

BSAEP

brainstem auditory evoked potential

BSE

bovine spongiform encephalopathy

BSL

biosafety level; blood sugar level

BW

bronchial washing

C

C&S

culture and sensitivity

c-ANCA

cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

C3NeF

C3 nephritic factor

CA 125

cancer antigen 125

CA 19-9

carbohydrate antigen 19-9

Ca2+

calcium

CAD

coronary artery disease; computer-aided detection; cold agglutinin disease

CAH

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

cAMP

cyclic adenosine monophosphate

CaSR

calcium-sensing receptor

CBC

complete blood count

CBD

common bile duct

CC

craniocaudal

CCF

congestive cardiac failure

CCK

cholecystokinin

CCP

cyclic citrullinated peptide

CCTA

coronary computed tomography angiography

CCU

coronary care unit

CD

cluster of differentiation; Crohn's disease

CEA

carcinoembryonic antigen

CF

cystic fibrosis; complement fixation

CFA

cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (older term for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis); complete Freund's adjuvant

CFTR

cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

CFU

colony-forming unit

CGIN

cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia

CGMS

continuous glucose monitoring system

CHD

coronary heart disease; congenital heart disease

CHF

congestive heart failure

Cho

choline

CHr

reticulocyte haemoglobin content

CIE

counterimmunoelectrophoresis

CIN

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

CINCA

chronic infantile neurological, cutaneous and articular syndrome

CJD

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease

CK

creatine kinase

CKD

chronic kidney disease

CKD-EPI

Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration

Cl-

chloride

CLL

chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CLO

Campylobacter-like organism (CLO test: rapid urease test for Helicobacter pylori)

cm

centimetre

CMAP

compound muscle action potential

cmH2O

centimetre of water

CML

chronic myeloid leukaemia

CMR

cardiovascular magnetic resonance

CMV

cytomegalovirus

CNS

central nervous system

CO

carbon monoxide; cardiac output

CO2

carbon dioxide

COHb

carboxyhaemoglobin

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

cP

centipoise

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPE

carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales; cytopathic effect (virology)

CPK

creatine phosphokinase

CPPD

calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate; calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease

CPS

complex partial seizure

Cr

creatinine

CrAg

cryptococcal antigen

CRC

colorectal cancer

CrCl

creatinine clearance

CREST

calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, oesophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly and telangiectasia

CRH

corticotropin-releasing hormone

CRP

C-reactive protein

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CSU

catheter specimen of urine

CT

computed tomography; Chlamydia trachomatis; clotting time

CT-IVP

computed tomography intravenous pyelography

CTC

computed tomography colonography

CTLp

cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursor

CTPA

computed tomography pulmonary angiography

CTU

computed tomography urography

CVA

cerebrovascular accident (stroke); costovertebral angle

CVD

cardiovascular disease

CVID

common variable immunodeficiency

CVP

central venous pressure

CVS

cardiovascular system; chorionic villus sampling

CW

continuous wave

CXR

chest X-ray

D

d

day

DAT

direct antiglobulin test

dB

decibel

DCBE

double-contrast barium enema

DCCT

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial

DCIS

ductal carcinoma in situ

DEC

diethylcarbamazine

DESS

dual-echo steady state

DEXA

dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

DFA

direct fluorescent antibody

DHEAS

dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

DI

diabetes insipidus

DIC

disseminated intravascular coagulation

DIDMOAD

diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness (Wolfram syndrome)

DIF

direct immunofluorescence

Diff

differential (white cell) count

DIP

distal interphalangeal (joint)

DJ

duodenojejunal

DKA

diabetic ketoacidosis

dL

decilitre

DLBCL

diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

DLCO

diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide

DM

diabetes mellitus

DMSA

dimercaptosuccinic acid

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

DOAC

direct oral anticoagulant

DPLD

diffuse parenchymal lung disease

DRE

digital rectal examination

dRVVT

dilute Russell's viper venom time

DSA

digital subtraction angiography

dsDNA

double-stranded DNA

DSI

dimensionless severity index

DTI

diffusion tensor imaging

DTPA

diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid

DU

duodenal ulcer

DVT

deep vein thrombosis

DWI

diffusion-weighted imaging

DXA

dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

E

EATL

enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma

EBB

endobronchial biopsy

EBUS

endobronchial ultrasound

EBV

Epstein–Barr virus

ECG

electrocardiogram

EDC

estimated date of confinement

EDH

extradural haemorrhage

EDTA

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

EEG

electroencephalogram

EF

ejection fraction

EGFR

epidermal growth factor receptor

eGFR

estimated glomerular filtration rate

EGPA

eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

EIA

enzyme immunoassay

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

EM

electron microscopy

EMA

endomysial antibody

EMG

electromyography

EMU

early morning urine

ENA

extractable nuclear antigen

EOG

electro-oculography

EP

evoked potential

Epo

erythropoietin

EQA

external quality assurance

ER

oestrogen receptor; evoked response; emergency room

ERCP

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

ERF

established renal failure

ESA

erythropoiesis-stimulating agent

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESS

Epworth sleepiness scale

ETEC

enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

ETT

endotracheal tube

EUS

endoscopic ultrasound

F

Fab

fragment antigen-binding

FACS

fluorescence-activated cell sorting

FAP

familial adenomatous polyposis

FBC

full blood count

FBHH

familial benign hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia

FCC

fibrocystic change

FCHL

familial combined hyperlipidaemia

FDG

fluorodeoxyglucose

FDP

fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products

FeNO

fractional exhaled nitric oxide

FEV

forced expiratory volume

FEV1

forced expiratory volume in 1 second

FFP

fresh frozen plasma

FGF

fibroblast growth factor

FH

familial hypercholesterolaemia

FIGO

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

FiO2

fraction of inspired oxygen

FISH

fluorescence in situ hybridization

fL

femtolitre

FLAIR

fluid-attenuated inversion recovery

fMRI

functional magnetic resonance imaging

FMTC

familial medullary thyroid carcinoma

FNA

fine-needle aspiration

FNH

focal nodular hyperplasia

FOB

faecal occult blood

FPG

fasting plasma glucose

Fr

French (catheter gauge)

FRC

functional residual capacity

FSGS

focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

FSH

follicle-stimulating hormone

FT4

free thyroxine (free T4)

FT4I

free thyroxine index

FTA-ABS

fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (test)

FUO

fever of unknown origin

FVC

forced vital capacity

FVL

factor V Leiden

G

g

gram

G&S

group and save

G6PD

glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

GABA

gamma-aminobutyric acid

GAD

glutamic acid decarboxylase

GBM

glomerular basement membrane

GBS

Guillain–Barré syndrome; group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae)

GC

gas chromatography; gonococcus (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

GC-MS

gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

GCA

giant cell arteritis

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

Gd

gadolinium

GFR

glomerular filtration rate

GGT

gamma-glutamyl transferase

GH

growth hormone

GHRH

growth hormone-releasing hormone

GI

gastrointestinal

GIT

gastrointestinal tract

GLC

gas–liquid chromatography

GM-CSF

granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

GNCB

Gram-negative coccobacillus

GNR

Gram-negative rod

GORD

gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

GPA

granulomatosis with polyangiitis

GPC

Gram-positive coccus; gastric parietal cell (antibody)

GPI

glycosylphosphatidylinositol

GRA

glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism

GT

glucose tolerance

GTN

glyceryl trinitrate

GTT

glucose tolerance test

GU

gastric ulcer

GVCB

Gram-variable coccobacillus

GvHD

graft-versus-host disease

H

h

hour

HAART

highly active antiretroviral therapy (now usually called antiretroviral therapy, ART)

HACEK

Haemophilus species, Aggregatibacter species, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens and Kingella species

HAV

hepatitis A virus

Hb

haemoglobin

HbA1c

glycated haemoglobin (haemoglobin A1c)

HbC

haemoglobin C

HbD

haemoglobin D

HbE

haemoglobin E

HbF

fetal haemoglobin

HbH

haemoglobin H

HbO2

oxyhaemoglobin

HbS

sickle haemoglobin

HbSC

haemoglobin SC

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HC

haemoglobin content

hCG

human chorionic gonadotrophin

HCM

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

HCO3-

bicarbonate

Hct

haematocrit

HCV

hepatitis C virus

HD

Hodgkin disease (now Hodgkin lymphoma); haemodialysis; Huntington disease

HDFN

haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn

HDL

high-density lipoprotein

HDN

haemolytic disease of the newborn (now usually HDFN)

HELLP

haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count

HEMPAS

hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity with positive acidified serum lysis test

HEV

hepatitis E virus

HH

hereditary haemochromatosis

HHT

hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

HHV

human herpesvirus

Hib

Haemophilus influenzae type b

HIE

hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

HLA

human leucocyte antigen

HLH

haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

HMPAO

hexamethyl-propylene-amine-oxime

HMSN

hereditary motor sensory neuropathy

HNA

human neutrophil antigen; heparin-neutralizing activity

HNF

hepatocyte nuclear factor

HNPCC

hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)

HNPP

hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies

HONK

hyperosmolar non-ketotic (state) (now hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state, HHS)

Hp

haptoglobin

HPA

human platelet antigen; hybridization protection assay; hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (axis)

hpf

high-power field

HPFH

hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin

HPLC

high-performance liquid chromatography

HPOA

hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy

HPV

human papillomavirus

HRC

hypochromic red cells

HRCT

high-resolution computed tomography

HRP-2

histidine-rich protein 2

HRS

Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg (cell); hepatorenal syndrome

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

hsTnI

high-sensitivity troponin I

hsTnT

high-sensitivity troponin T

HSV

herpes simplex virus

HTLV

human T-lymphotropic virus

HU

Hounsfield unit

HUS

haemolytic uraemic syndrome

HUVS

hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome

Hz

hertz

I

IABP

intra-aortic balloon pump

IAT

indirect antiglobulin test

IBD

inflammatory bowel disease

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

ICA

islet cell antibodies

ICD

implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; International Classification of Diseases

ICM

insertable cardiac monitor

ICP

intracranial pressure

ICP-MS

inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

ICU

intensive care unit

IDA

iron deficiency anaemia; iminodiacetic acid

IDDM

insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus

IDMS

isotope dilution mass spectrometry

IEF

isoelectric focusing

IF

intrinsic factor

IFA

intrinsic factor antibody; immunofluorescence assay; indirect fluorescent antibody (test)

IFCC

International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

IFG

impaired fasting glucose

IFN

interferon

IFT

immunofluorescence test

Ig

immunoglobulin

IgA

immunoglobulin A

IgAN

IgA nephropathy

IgD

immunoglobulin D

IGE

idiopathic generalized epilepsy

IgE

immunoglobulin E

IGF

insulin-like growth factor

IgG

immunoglobulin G

IgM

immunoglobulin M

IGRA

interferon-gamma release assay

IGT

impaired glucose tolerance

IHD

ischaemic heart disease

IIH

idiopathic intracranial hypertension

IL

interleukin

ILD

interstitial lung disease

ILR

implantable loop recorder

IM

intramuscular; infectious mononucleosis

IMN

idiopathic membranous nephropathy

INR

international normalized ratio

INR/PT

international normalized ratio/prothrombin time

IPF

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

IPSS

inferior petrosal sinus sampling

ITGCN

intratubular germ cell neoplasia (germ cell neoplasia in situ)

ITP

immune thrombocytopenia (formerly idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura)

ITT

insulin tolerance test

ITU

intensive therapy unit

IU

international unit

IUP

intrauterine pregnancy

IV

intravenous

IVC

inferior vena cava

IVI

intravenous infusion

IVP

intravenous pyelography

IVU

intravenous urogram

J

JAK2

Janus kinase 2

JME

juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

JVP

jugular venous pressure; jugular venous pulse

K

K+

potassium

kBq

kilobecquerel

KCCT

kaolin cephalin clotting time

KCO

transfer coefficient for carbon monoxide

kDa

kilodalton

KDIGO

Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes

kg

kilogram

kPa

kilopascal

KSHV

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

kU

kilounit

KUB

kidney, ureter, bladder (X-ray)

kV

kilovolt

L

L

litre

LA

lupus anticoagulant; lactic acidosis; left atrium

LADA

latent autoimmune diabetes in adults

LAP

leucocyte alkaline phosphatase; left atrial pressure; leucine aminopeptidase

lb

pound (weight)

LC

liver cytosol (antibody); light chain (immunoglobulin); liquid chromatography

LC-MS/MS

liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

LC/Q-TOF-MS

liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

LCM

left costal margin

LCR

ligase chain reaction

LDH

lactate dehydrogenase

LDL

low-density lipoprotein

LDST

low-dose dexamethasone suppression test

LEMS

Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome

LFT

liver function test

LH

luteinizing hormone

LHRH

luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

LIF

left iliac fossa

LKM

liver–kidney microsomal

LMN

lower motor neurone

LOC

loss of consciousness

LP

lumbar puncture

LPL

lipoprotein lipase

LSCC

lateral semicircular canal

LTOT

long-term oxygen therapy

LUQ

left upper quadrant

LUTS

lower urinary tract symptoms

LV

left ventricle

LVEDP

left ventricular end-diastolic pressure

LVF

left ventricular failure

M

m

metre

M, C & S

microscopy, culture, and sensitivity

m-In

myo-inositol

M-mode

motion-mode

MAA

macroaggregated albumin

MAG

myelin-associated glycoprotein

MAG3

mercaptoacetyltriglycine

MAHA

microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia

MAIPA

monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigens

MALDI

matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

MALDI-TOF MS

matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

MALT

mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

MAOI

monoamine oxidase inhibitor

MARS

Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System

MASP

mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease

MBq

megabecquerel

MCD

minimal change disease

MCH

mean cell haemoglobin

MCHC

mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration

MCP

metacarpophalangeal (joint)

MCUG

micturating cystourethrogram

MCV

mean cell volume

MCVm

mutated citrullinated vimentin (antibody)

MD

myotonic dystrophy; muscular dystrophy

MDMA

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)

MDR

multidrug-resistant

MDR-TB

multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

MDRD

Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (equation)

MDS

myelodysplastic syndrome

MELAS

mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes

MEN

multiple endocrine neoplasia

MEP

motor evoked potential

mEq

milliequivalent

MERRF

myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibres

MERS-CoV

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

MetHb

methaemoglobin

MG

myasthenia gravis

mg

milligram

Mg2+

magnesium

MGUS

monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

MHC

major histocompatibility complex

MHz

megahertz

MI

myocardial infarction

MIBG

meta-iodobenzylguanidine

MIC

minimum inhibitory concentration

min

minute

mIU

milli-international unit

mL

millilitre

MLC

mixed lymphocyte culture

MLO

mediolateral oblique

mm

millimetre

mmHg

millimetre of mercury

mmol

millimole

MN

mononuclear cell; membranous nephropathy

MND

motor neurone disease

MoAb

monoclonal antibody

MODY

maturity-onset diabetes of the young

mOsmol

milliosmole

MP

metacarpophalangeal (joint)

mPa

millipascal

MPD

myeloproliferative disorder (now myeloproliferative neoplasm)

MPHR

maximum predicted heart rate

MPI

myocardial perfusion imaging

MPO

myeloperoxidase

MPV

mean platelet volume

MR

magnetic resonance

MRA

magnetic resonance angiogram

MRCP

magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

MRD

minimal residual disease

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

mRNA

messenger ribonucleic acid

MRS

magnetic resonance spectroscopy

MRSA

meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

MRV

magnetic resonance venography

MS

multiple sclerosis; mass spectrometry; mitral stenosis

ms

millisecond

MSD

mean sac diameter

MSU

midstream urine

mSv

millisievert

MTP

metatarsophalangeal

mU

milliunit

MUGA

multigated acquisition (scan)

MUP

motor unit potential

MuSK

muscle-specific kinase

mV

millivolt

N

N

normal

Na+

sodium

NAA

N-acetyl-aspartate; nucleic acid amplification

NAC

N-acetylcysteine

nAChR

nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

NADH

reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

NAFLD

non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (now metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, MASLD)

NAG

N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase

NAP

neutrophil alkaline phosphatase

NASBA

nucleic acid sequence-based amplification

NASH

non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (now metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, MASH)

NCS

nerve conduction studies

NCSE

non-convulsive status epilepticus

NEC

necrotizing enterocolitis

Neg

negative

NET

neuroendocrine tumour

ng

nanogram

NH3

ammonia

NH4+

ammonium

NHL

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

NICE

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

NIDDM

non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus

NK

natural killer (cell)

NLPHL

nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

nm

nanometre

nmol

nanomole

NMS

neuroleptic malignant syndrome

NO

nitric oxide

NPA

nasopharyngeal aspirate

NPH

normal pressure hydrocephalus

NPO

nil by mouth (nil per os)

NREM

non-rapid eye movement

NSAID

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NSF

nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

NSTEMI

non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

O

O2

oxygen

OA

osteoarthritis

Oc

calculated osmolality

OCB

oligoclonal band

OCP

oral contraceptive pill

OGD

oesophagogastroduodenoscopy

OGTT

oral glucose tolerance test

Om

measured osmolality

OMIM

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man

OSA

obstructive sleep apnoea

OTC

over the counter

P

P-A

posteroanterior

p-ANCA

perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

PA

pernicious anaemia

PABA

para-aminobenzoic acid

PaCO2

partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood

PACS

picture archiving and communication systems

PAD

peripheral arterial disease

PAN

polyarteritis nodosa

PaO2

partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood

PAS

periodic acid–Schiff

PB

peripheral blood

PBC

primary biliary cholangitis (formerly primary biliary cirrhosis)

PC

protein C; provocation concentration

PCH

paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria

PCI

percutaneous coronary intervention

PCNA

proliferating cell nuclear antigen

PCO2

partial pressure of carbon dioxide

PCP

Pneumocystis pneumonia (Pneumocystis jirovecii); phencyclidine (drug screen)

PCR

polymerase chain reaction; protein:creatinine ratio

PCT

procalcitonin; proximal convoluted tubule

PCV

packed cell volume

PD

Parkinson’s disease

PDA

patent ductus arteriosus

PDW

platelet distribution width

PE

pulmonary embolism

PEFR

peak expiratory flow rate

PEG

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

PET

positron emission tomography

PFR

peak flow rate

pg

picogram

PICC

peripherally inserted central catheter

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

PIFT

platelet immunofluorescence test

PIN

prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

PIP

proximal interphalangeal

PK

pyruvate kinase

PLA2

phospholipase A2

PLED

periodic lateralized epileptiform discharge

PLMD

periodic limb movement disorder

PMA

para-methoxyamphetamine

PMF

progressive massive fibrosis

PML

progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy

PMN

polymorphonuclear leucocyte (neutrophil)

PNH

paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

PNS

peripheral nervous system

PO

per os (by mouth)

PO2

partial pressure of oxygen

PO4 3−

phosphate

Pos

positive

POTS

postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

PP

pancreatic polypeptide

ppb

parts per billion

PPD

purified protein derivative

PR

progesterone receptor; per rectum

PR3

proteinase 3

PRA

plasma renin activity

PRL

prolactin

PrP

prion protein

PRV

polycythaemia rubra vera (now polycythaemia vera, PV)

PS

protein S

PSA

prostate-specific antigen

PSC

primary sclerosing cholangitis

PSMA

prostate-specific membrane antigen

PT

prothrombin time

PTA

percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

PTC

percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram

PTH

parathyroid hormone

PTR

prothrombin ratio

PTTK

partial thromboplastin time with kaolin

PUO

pyrexia of unknown origin

PV

plasma volume; polycythaemia vera

PVA

polyvinyl alcohol

PVNS

pigmented villonodular synovitis

PW

pulsed wave

PWI

perfusion-weighted imaging

Q

qds

four times daily (quater die sumendus)

R

RA

rheumatoid arthritis; refractory anaemia; right atrium

RAPA

rheumatoid arthritis particle agglutination test

RAS

renal artery stenosis

RAST

radioallergosorbent test

RBC

red blood cell

RBP

retinol-binding protein

RCC

red cell count; renal cell carcinoma

RDT

rapid diagnostic test

RDW

red cell distribution width

REM

rapid eye movement

RES

reticuloendothelial system

Ret-He

reticulocyte haemoglobin content

RF

rheumatoid factor

RFLP

restriction fragment length polymorphism

Rh

Rhesus (blood group)

RhMK

Rhesus monkey kidney

RIA

radioimmunoassay

RiCoF

ristocetin cofactor

RID

radial immunodiffusion

RIF

right iliac fossa

RIPA

ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation

RIS

radiology information system

RN

reflux nephropathy

RNA

ribonucleic acid

RNP

ribonucleoprotein

RNVG

radionuclide ventriculography

RPR

rapid plasma reagin (syphilis test)

RSV

respiratory syncytial virus

RTA

renal tubular acidosis

rTMS

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

RUQ

right upper quadrant

RV

right ventricle; residual volume

RVF

right ventricular failure

S

s

second

SAA

serum amyloid A

SAAG

serum–ascites albumin gradient

SAH

subarachnoid haemorrhage

SaO2

arterial oxygen saturation

SARS

severe acute respiratory syndrome

SB

Sudan Black B

SBE

subacute bacterial endocarditis

SBO

small bowel obstruction

SBP

spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

SBT

serum bactericidal test

SC

subcutaneous

SCC

squamous cell carcinoma

SCID

severe combined immunodeficiency

SCLC

small-cell lung cancer

SDH

subdural haemorrhage

SDS-PAGE

sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

SeHCAT

selenium-75 homotaurocholic acid test

SG

specific gravity

SGLT2

sodium–glucose cotransporter 2

SHBG

sex hormone-binding globulin

SI

Système International d'Unités (SI units)

SIADH

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

SLA

soluble liver antigen

SLE

systemic lupus erythematosus

SMA

smooth muscle antibody; spinal muscular atrophy; Sequential Multiple Analyzer (Technicon)

SNAP

sensory nerve action potential

SO4 2−

sulfate

SOB

shortness of breath

SOD

sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

SOL

space-occupying lesion

SPECT

single photon emission computed tomography

SpO2

peripheral oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry)

SS

systemic sclerosis; Sjögren syndrome

SSFP

steady-state free precession

SSP

sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP)

SSPE

subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

SSR

somatostatin receptor

STD

sexually transmitted disease (now usually STI, sexually transmitted infection)

STEMI

ST-elevation myocardial infarction

sTfR

soluble transferrin receptor

STIR

short tau inversion recovery

SUV

standardized uptake value

SVC

superior vena cava

SWS

slow wave sleep

SXR

skull X-ray

T

T

temperature

T1W

T1-weighted

T2W

T2-weighted

T3

triiodothyronine

T4

thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine)

TA

temporal arteritis

TACO

transfusion-associated circulatory overload

TB

tuberculosis

TBLB

transbronchial lung biopsy

TBNA

transbronchial needle aspiration

TCR

T-cell receptor

TCT

thrombin clotting time

tds

three times daily (ter die sumendus)

TE

echo time

TfR

transferrin receptor

TFT

thyroid function test

TG

triglyceride

Tg

thyroglobulin

TGF

transforming growth factor

THR

total hip replacement

TIA

transient ischaemic attack

TIBC

total iron binding capacity

TIPS

transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

TLC

thin-layer chromatography; total lung capacity; total leucocyte count

TLCO

transfer factor for carbon monoxide

TMA

thrombotic microangiopathy; transcription-mediated amplification

TMS

transcranial magnetic stimulation

TN

trigeminal neuralgia

TNF

tumour necrosis factor

TnI

troponin I

TnT

troponin T

TOE

transoesophageal echocardiography

tPA

tissue plasminogen activator

TPHA

Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay

TPN

total parenteral nutrition

TPO

thyroid peroxidase; thrombopoietin

TR

repetition time

TRALI

transfusion-related acute lung injury

TRAP

tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase

TRH

thyrotropin-releasing hormone

tRNA

transfer ribonucleic acid

TRP

tubular reabsorption of phosphate

TSE

transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

TSH

thyroid-stimulating hormone

TTE

transthoracic echocardiogram

tTG

tissue transglutaminase

TTP

thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

TURP

transurethral resection of the prostate

U

U

unit

U&E

urea and electrolytes

UC

ulcerative colitis

UCTD

undifferentiated connective tissue disease

UFC

urinary free cortisol

UFE

uterine fibroid embolization

UIP

usual interstitial pneumonia

UMN

upper motor neurone

URTI

upper respiratory tract infection

US

ultrasound

USS

ultrasound scan

UTI

urinary tract infection

UV

ultraviolet

V

V

volt

V/Q

ventilation/perfusion

VAIN

vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

VATS

video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

VC

vital capacity

vCJD

variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease

VDRL

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

VEP

visual evoked potential

VHF

viral haemorrhagic fever

VHL

von Hippel–Lindau (disease)

VIN

vulval intraepithelial neoplasia

VIP

vasoactive intestinal peptide

VLCFA

very long-chain fatty acid

VLDL

very low-density lipoprotein

VMA

vanillylmandelic acid

VO2

oxygen uptake

VO2max

maximum oxygen uptake

VP

variegate porphyria

VRE

vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus

VSD

ventricular septal defect

VTE

venous thromboembolism

VUR

vesicoureteric reflux

vWD

von Willebrand disease

vWF

von Willebrand factor

vWF Ag

von Willebrand factor antigen

VZV

varicella zoster virus

W

w/v

weight per volume

WBC

white blood cell (count)

WCE

wireless capsule endoscopy

WHO

World Health Organization

X

XDP

cross-linked fibrin degradation products

XDR-TB

extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

XLA

X-linked agammaglobulinaemia

Z

ZN

Ziehl–Neelsen

ZPP

zinc protoporphyrin

Β

β-TG

beta-thromboglobulin

Γ

γGT

gamma-glutamyl transferase

Μ

μg

microgram

μL

microlitre

μmol

micromole