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GI Endoscopy allows gastroenterologists to peer into the body's digestive tract. GI Endoscopy is the examination and inspection of the digestive tract through an endoscope. An endoscope is a device that uses fiber optics and powerful lens systems to provide lighting and visualization of the interior of a joint. The portion of the endoscope inserted into the body may be rigid or flexible, depending upon the medical procedure.
An endoscope uses two fiber optic lines. A "light fiber" carries light into the body cavity and an "image fiber" carries the image of the body cavity back to the physician's viewing lens. There is also a separate port to allow for administration of drugs, suction, and irrigation. This port may also be used to introduce small folding instruments such as forceps, scissors, snares and baskets for tissue excision (removal), sampling, or other diagnostic and therapeutic work. Endoscopes are used in conjunction with a camera or video recorder to document images of the inside of the digestive tract during endoscopic procedure. New endoscopes have digital capabilities for manipulating and enhancing the video images.
This gallery shows photos of a normal gastrointestinal tract. Upper endoscopy shows the larynx, esophagus, stomach and the duodenum. Colonoscopy shows the anus, rectum, sigmoid colon, descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon and cecum.
When patients go to their doctor with certain symptoms, endoscopy is sometimes used to help find a cause. View this gallery and see photos of various diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. You can explore the many patient education topics on this website to get information about these diseases.
This gallery shows endoscopic photos of ulcers. An ulcer is a sore, which means it's an open, painful wound. Peptic ulcers are ulcers that form in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum (pronounced: doo-uh-dee-num). Peptic ulcers are very common. Doctors say that in the United States, almost 1 in every 10 people will get an ulcer at some time during their lives.
A colonoscopy (koh-luh-NAH-skuh-pee) allows a doctor to look inside the entire large intestine. The procedure enables the physician to see things such as inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, and ulcers. It is most often used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum. It is also used to look for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits and to evaluate symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. The colon, or large bowel, is the last portion of your digestive tract, or gastrointestinal tract. The colon is a hollow tube that starts at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum and anus. The colon is about 5 feet long, and its main function is to store unabsorbed food waste and absorb water and other body fluids before the waste is eliminated as stool.
This gallery shows endoscopic photos of various cancers of the gastrointestinal tract including colon and rectal cancer.
Definition of colon cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
Definition of rectal cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus).
Estimated new cases and deaths from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2008:
New cases: 108,070 (colon); 40,740 (rectal)
Deaths: 49,960 (colon and rectal combined)
In this gallery you will see various photos taken during close examination with EGD and colonoscopy examinations. Endoscopy has several names, depending on which portion of your digestive tract your doctor seeks to inspect. Colonoscopy enables the doctor to see ulcers, inflamed mucous lining of your intestine, abnormal growths and bleeding in your colon, or large bowel. Enteroscopy is a recent diagnostic tool that allows a doctor to see your small bowel. Upper GI endoscopy, sometimes called EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), is a visual examination of the upper intestinal tract.
Visit the many patient education topics to learn about gastrointestinal disease and also the healthy digestive tract.
Endoscopy can be used to diagnose various conditions by close examination of internal organ and body structures. Endoscopy can also guide therapy and repair, such as esophageal stricture dilation. Biopsy (tissue sampling for pathologic testing) may also be performed under endoscopic guidance.
Internal abnormalities revealed through gi endoscopy include: ulcers, biliary (liver) cirrhosis, bleeding, GERD, cancer, gi bleeding, Crohn's disease, gallbladder stones, hiatal hernia, inflammation, metastatic cancer, polyps, tumors, and many other diseases and conditions.
GI Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure and carries with it certain minor risks depending upon the type of procedure being performed. However, these risks are typically far outweighed by the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the procedure.
You Should Know :Dr. Bhandari specializes in digestive disease disorders. He is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Nutrition & Gastroenterology. He is a highly trained and skilled Endoscopist. |
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