Heller's test
Heller's test is a diagnostic procedure used in the field of medicine to detect the presence of blood in the gastric contents. This test is named after the German physician Ernst Heller, who developed it. Heller's test is primarily utilized to identify gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be a symptom of various gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and esophageal varices.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure for Heller's test involves adding a few drops of nitric acid to a sample of the patient's gastric contents. The presence of blood is indicated by the formation of a yellow ring at the interface of the two fluids. This reaction is due to the nitric acid reacting with the hemoglobin in the blood to form a compound that produces the characteristic yellow color.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Heller's test is significant in the clinical setting as it provides a quick and simple method to detect bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Early detection of gastrointestinal bleeding is crucial for the timely diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions that may be causing the bleeding. However, it is important to note that Heller's test is not specific for blood; certain food particles and medications can also cause a false positive result. Therefore, positive results from Heller's test should be followed up with more specific diagnostic procedures, such as endoscopy, to accurately identify the source of bleeding.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While Heller's test can be useful in certain clinical scenarios, it has limitations. The test's lack of specificity means that it cannot definitively diagnose gastrointestinal bleeding on its own. Additionally, the test does not provide any information regarding the severity or exact location of the bleeding. As medical technology has advanced, more accurate and informative diagnostic methods have become available, leading to a decrease in the use of Heller's test in modern clinical practice.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
