fluorescein string test

fluor·es·ce·in string test

an infrequently used test in which a patient with gastrointestinal bleeding swallows a string; fluorescein is given intravenously; if the string fluoresces after removal, it has been contaminated by blood that has appeared since injection of the fluorescein; used to determine location of bleeding lesion.

fluorescein string test

A crude obsolete test in which the subject swallows a string followed by intravenous injection with fluorescein; if the string fluoresces on removal it is diagnostic of active gastrointestinal bleeding. In the current setting active GI bleeding is evaluated by physical examination, endoscopy, angiography and radiologic contrast (barium) studies.