We are the combination of four hospitals: the General Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the Women’s Hospital and the Traumatology, Rehabilitation and Burns Hospital. We are part of the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus: a world-leading health park where healthcare plays a crucial role.
Below we will list the departments and units that form part of Vall d’Hebron Hospital and the main diseases that we treat. We will also make recommendations based on advice backed up by scientific evidence that has been shown to be effective in guaranteeing well-being and quality of life.
Vols saber com serà la teva estada a l’Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron? Aquí trobaràs tota la informació.
Endoscopy with endoscopic capsule is used to study the intestines. In order to perform this exploration, patients must swallow a small capsule that travels naturally through the gut. As it makes its way down, this capsule collects images that are studied later.
To do this test, sensors are placed in the abdomen of the patient along with a belt with a recorder with a battery. The patient then takes the capsule with some water. The study will last 8 hours, during which the person having the test done cannot perform any activities that involve stretching, abrupt physical exertion, bending or carry out any physical activity.
The capsule comes out with the patient’s stool, but the images it has taken are saved on the recorder that the patient is wearing on a belt.
The patient must inform the doctor of all medication he/she is taking, in order to make any necessary adjustments. Also remember to follow the instructions of the professionals relating to what solids and liquids to consume before and after the test.
During the procedure, patients cannot go near areas with strong electromagnetic fields, such as amateur radio equipment or magnetic resonance imaging.
Once the endoscopy with capsule is done, patients must check their stools to make sure the capsule has been expelled properly.
The aim of the electrocardiogram is to determine any damage to the heart and the effects of medication and devices on the circulatory system’s main organ, as well as being very useful in detecting and analysing cardiac arrhythmias, acute episodes of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. It can also be used in preoperative examinations, especially in medium- and high-complexity surgery, if there are risk factors such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke, heart failure or renal dysfunction.
To carry out the test, the healthcare professional connects the wires of the electrocardiogram to the skin of the patient using adhesives or suction cups called "electrodes", which are connected to the ankles, wrists and chest in order to detect electrical impulses from different parts of the body.
During the electrocardiogram, the patient must be lying down, relaxed and silent, with normal breathing and with their arms and legs still. Occasionally, the doctor may ask the patient to hold their breath for a few seconds.
The electrocardiogram records electrical activity from the surface of the heart, thanks to electrodes that are stuck to the body. This record of electrical activity is then copied onto paper that is then interpreted by a professional based on the patient’s symptoms and clinical history.
It is a simple, fast test that causes no discomfort or pain. It poses no risk to patients.
The computed tomography, also known as a "CT" or "CAT scan", is a test that gives morphological information on different types of tissues: bones, lungs, brain, liver, blood vessels and soft tissues etc.. This test lets us diagnose cardiovascular diseases, infections, musculoskeletal disorders, cancer and infections, as well as track progress and plan medical and surgical treatments, if necessary.
In order to do the test, the patient must lie down on the CT stretcher. The patient then moves through the interior of the device. Depending on the part of the body being examined, the patient may be aware of this movement or not.
While this radiological exploration is taking place, a contrast medium (iodine) is administered into a vein, though the patient will not even notice this as it is completely painless. You will be accompanied at all times by health professionals who will be on hand to help you and answer any questions you have.
Once the test has been completed, the radiologist, who is a specialist in CT scans and other radiological exams, will interpret the images and provide a report for the specialist who requested the test.
There is no risk involved, unless the patient is intolerant or especially sensitive to any of the components of the contrast substance.
However, there may be risks if the patient has some illnesses, but this will depend on each individual case. In addition, there are the risks for certain people, that are common to all radiological explorations with contrast:
Fibrocolonoscopy, or colonoscopy is an exploration that is performed to examine the large or small intestine or, if necessary, the final part of the small intestine.
If you are a diabetic patient, check with your doctor to find out about the medication guidelines you should follow.
The duration of this test is usually no longer than 30 minutes, as long as no therapeutic treatments are performed.
Simple spirometry is a test to study lung function, which lets us know the amount of air patients can move and how well they do it.
This test is done using a device called a spirometer. The patient must be sat upright with their legs uncrossed. Then, clamps are placed on the nose and the patient is asked to insert a nozzle into their mouth. Once ready, the patient must fill their lungs by breathing in as deeply as they can. The care worker then asks the patient to blow as hard as they can, not stopping until their lungs are empty. The blowing stops when the healthcare professional in charge tells the patient to stop.
Next, the patient is asked to breathe in quickly as hard as they can in order to record their inhalation data.
This can be repeated until three correct readings are taken. Normally the test lasts 10 minutes.
The aim of the intestinal biopsy is to obtain a surface fragment of the mucus of the small intestine to analyse it under a microscope. This sample helps us to determine if the patient has any disease or health problem, as well as showing us how the patient is progressing.
To take the sample, a very thin catheter is inserted through the patient's mouth to the area being explored. Then the person undergoing the test must change position until the doctor makes sure that the capsule is properly placed using x rays.
When the position of the capsule is correct, a syringe is used to collect a sample, what we call a "biopsy".
Sometimes, it is necessary to move the catheter to make sure the capsule is properly placed, which does not hurt, but can cause irritation to the throat or a feeling of nausea.
The risks involved are minimal. There may be complications, such as perforation, bleeding or difficulty in removing the capsule, though these are very rare.
Bone marrow is a diffuse organ present in the small cells of the bones and which contains the stems cells which form the cells that circulate in the blood. Accessing this part of our bones can provide information about blood precursor cells, and also tell us if there are any unusual cells or microorganisms of an invasive nature.
To see all stages of blood cell maturation, both for diagnosis and to assess the response to treatment in cases of neoplastic disease.
Also to rule out or confirm the presence of cells that should not normally be there
Puncture aspiration is carried out under local anaesthetic on an area of bone rich in precursor cells. This is usually the iliac crest (the back of the pelvis) or the sternum.
A sample of bone marrow blood from the iliac crests is extracted using an injection.
The test lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, the site of the puncture is compressed tightly for a few minutes and placed in a dressing that must be removed after 24 hours.
Remember that up to 24 hours after the test you will not be able to make any physical effort or carry any weight. After this period you can live normally again.
In case of pain or discomfort, painkillers can be taken.
This test helps us to see arteries and detect possible problems.
The medical team performing the test accesses the arteries of the patients using long tubes that allow us to reach almost any part of the body, these are called “catheters.” To do this, we need to puncture the artery or carry out a small surgical operation. Normally the femoral artery is used, in the groin. In some cases, the humeral artery can be used, located on the arm or armpit.
Using the catheter, a radiological contrast is injected that fills the arteries and allows us to see how they are working, using X-rays. The puncture is done using local anaesthesia, to avoid discomfort.
Generally, the test lasts from 30 to 60 minutes and once the scan is over, a compressive dressing is placed. Once the test is done, patients must rest in bed for somewhere between 6 to 24 hours, depending on each patient.
Like any type of surgery, arteriographies involve a series of consequences and possible complications, usually minor ones that disappear or improve over time.
If you are concerned or have any of the symptoms listed below, it is important that you see a doctor.
It is important for young men to perform regular self-examinations; especially those who are considered to be at risk of contracting testicular cancer.
A testicular self-examination can help a man detect any changes in their testicles on time. This means that if treatment is needed, it can be started as soon as possible.
The purpose of the tests is to detect prostate cancer in the early stages, before the disease progresses. There are two common initial screening tests. Depending on the result, you may be referred to a urologist for a biopsy. These initial tests are:
- Rectal examination
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
The PSA blood test seeks to identify a protein in the blood that is specifically produced by prostate cells.
An elevated or rising PSA level alone does not always mean that a man has prostate cancer. PSA levels may increase with age and other benign conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis. To diagnose prostate cancer, you will need to undergo a prostate biopsy.
Depending on the results, you may be referred to a urologist in order to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a biopsy. This is the only way to determine the presence of a cancer.
This is another type of biopsy which uses the images obtained from the MRI scans and real-time ultrasound images. Using a computer programme, the images obtained in the ultrasound scan are fused, or merged, with those of the previously-performed prostate MRI. This allows lesions to be located with greater accuracy. Samples will be taken from the lesion and from the rest of the prostate. The prostate samples will be sent to the anatomopathologist (a specialist who analyses and studies the tissues). After analysing the samples under a microscope, they will confirm whether or not the patient has cancer. If they do have cancer, the anatomopathologist will also confirm how aggressive it is.
We suggest that you talk with your doctor to see whether or not you need to undergo a PSA blood analysis.
Together you can decide on the best way to proceed.
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