alkaline phosphatase

(elevated levels may indicate liver or bone disease)

alanine transaminase

(formerly SGPT; high levels indicate liver cell damage)

aspartate transaminase

(formerly SGOT; high levels indicate liver cell damage)

barium enema

(lower GI series: x-ray images of colon and rectum after injection of barium into rectum)

bright red blood per rectum

(hematochezia)

computed tomography

(formerly CAT: computerized axial tomography)

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

(contrast medium injected via catheter through
mouth, esophagus, stomach and duodenum,
then into bile ducts)

liver function tests

(alk phos, bilirubin, AST, ALT)

nothing by mouth

(Latin: nil per os)

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube

(feeding tube)

percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube

(feeding tube; also JPEG)

percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography

(contrast medium injected via needle through abdominal wall into liver)

serial transverse enteroplasty

(lengthening of short bowel to allow enteral feeding)