Thoracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the pleural space, the thin gap between the lung and chest wall. It is commonly used to evaluate why pleural fluid has accumulated and to relieve shortness of breath. The removed fluid can be tested in a laboratory to help identify infection, cancer, or systemic disease. In gastroenterology and hepatology, it is most often discussed when liver, pancreatic, or malignancy-related conditions cause pleural effusions.

Paracentesis is a procedure that removes fluid from the abdominal cavity. It is most commonly used when fluid has collected in the peritoneal space, a condition called ascites. It can be done to diagnose the cause of fluid buildup or to relieve symptoms from pressure. Gastroenterology and hepatology teams often use it in patients with liver disease and related complications.

Transjugular Liver Biopsy is a liver tissue sampling procedure performed through a neck vein. It is commonly used when a standard “through-the-skin” liver biopsy may carry higher bleeding risk. A catheter is guided into the liver’s veins, and biopsy samples are taken from inside the venous system. It is typically performed in hospitals by interventional radiology teams in coordination with GI and liver clinicians.

Liver Biopsy is a medical procedure that removes a small sample of liver tissue for microscopic examination. It is commonly used in hepatology to clarify the cause, severity, or stage of liver disease. The sample is evaluated by pathology to look for inflammation, scarring, fat, infection, or abnormal cells.

Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid (steroid) medication that reduces inflammation and modifies immune activity. It is commonly used in many medical specialties, including gastroenterology and hepatology. In digestive diseases, it is often used to control immune-driven injury in the bowel or liver.

Budesonide is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) medication that reduces inflammation. It is designed to act more “locally” in certain tissues while limiting whole-body (systemic) exposure compared with some other steroids. In gastroenterology, it is commonly used for inflammatory bowel and immune-mediated conditions affecting the intestine and, in selected cases, the liver. It also exists in non-GI forms (inhaled or nasal) for airway and nasal inflammation.

Ustekinumab is a prescription biologic medication used to treat certain immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. It is a monoclonal antibody, meaning it is a lab-made protein designed to target specific immune pathways. In gastroenterology, it is commonly used for inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used in dermatology and rheumatology for conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Vedolizumab is a biologic medication used to treat certain inflammatory bowel diseases. It is a targeted antibody that helps reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most commonly used in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Clinicians use it when ongoing intestinal inflammation causes symptoms, complications, or poor quality of life.

Adalimumab is a biologic medicine that reduces inflammation by targeting a specific immune signal. It is a monoclonal antibody that blocks tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). It is commonly used for chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In gastroenterology, it is discussed most often for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Infliximab is a biologic medication that targets tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a key signal in inflammation. It is given most commonly by intravenous (IV) infusion in supervised clinical settings. In gastroenterology, it is widely used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is also used in several non-gastrointestinal immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.