Transillumination

The room lights are dimmed or turned off so that the area of the body may be seen more easily. A bright light is then pointed at that area. Areas where this test is used include the: Head Scrotum Chest of a premature or newborn infant Breast of an adult female Transillumination is also sometimes used to find blood…

No preparation is necessary for this test.

There is no discomfort with this test.

This test may be done along with other tests to diagnose: Hydrocephalus in newborns or infants Fluid-filled sac in the scrotum ( hydrocele ) or a tumor in the testicle Breast lesions or cysts in women In newborns, a bright halogen light may be used to transilluminate the chest cavity if there are signs of a collapsed…

Normal findings depend on the area being evaluated and the normal tissue of that area.

Areas filled with abnormal air or fluid light up when they should not. For example, in a darkened room, the head of a newborn with possible hydrocephalus will light up when this procedure is done. When done on the breast: Internal areas will be dark to black if there is a lesion and bleeding has occurred (because…

There are no risks associated with this test.

Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Examination techniques and equipment. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination . 10th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 3. Lissauer T, Hansen A. Physical examination of the newborn. In: Martin RJ,…