Endoscopy

The procedure allows a physician to find and treat problems in the digestive tract without surgery. It calls for a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end to be inserted through the mouth and into the upper gastrointestinal tract. The camera's range is considerable, including the lining of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum (first portion of the small bowel) and jejunum (the middle portion of the small bowel). Verywell / JR Bee Purpose of Test A surgeon, gastroenterologist, or other trained healthcare professional can perform an enteroscopy. The procedure is done using an endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end. The tool is inserted through the patient's mouth and down the esophagus. • A double-balloon enteroscopy, in which the tube with the camera is placed inside a wider tube. Both tubes have a balloon on one end. They are used during the test to anchor the endoscope in the digestive tract. The provider can inflate and deflate the balloons as they probe the small intestine, one section at a time. • A single-balloon enteroscopy, in which only one balloon is used • A spiral enteroscopy, which relies on a rotating spiral placed over the endoscope to move within the small intestine. As the newest of the three techniques, it was designed to provide a simpler, faster alternative to the balloon techniques. Endoscopy is a relatively new procedure. The Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2001. Previously, the small bowel—all 20 feet of it—was...

An endoscopy is a procedure used to visually examine your upper digestive system. During an endoscopy your doctor gently inserts a long, flexible tube, or endoscope, into your mouth, down your throat and into your esophagus. A fiber-optic endoscope has a light and tiny camera at the end. Your doctor can use this device to view your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine. The images are viewed on a video monitor in the exam room. If your doctor sees anything unusual, such as polyps or cancer, he or she passes special surgical tools through the endoscope to remove tissue or collect a sample to examine it more closely.

Overview Gastrointestinal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a procedure to remove precancerous, early-stage cancer or other abnormal tissues (lesions) from the digestive tract. Endoscopic mucosal resection is performed with a long, narrow tube equipped with a light, video camera and other instruments. During EMR of the upper digestive tract, the tube (endoscope) is passed down your throat to reach an abnormality in your esophagus, stomach or upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). Why it's done Endoscopic mucosal resection is a less invasive alternative to surgery for removing abnormal tissues from the lining of the digestive tract. These tissues may be: • Early-stage cancer • Precancerous lesions, which may become cancerous Endoscopic mucosal resection is usually performed by a specialist in digestive system disorders (gastroenterologist) who has expertise in this technique. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Risks Risks of the endoscopic mucosal resection include: • Bleeding. This most common complication often can be detected and corrected during the procedure. • Narrowing of the esophagus. Removing a lesion that encircles the esophagus ...

The term “endoscopy” commonly refers to a nonsurgical way to examine the digestive tract, particularly the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. During an endoscopy, the doctor will pass a flexible instrument with an attached camera down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the upper portion of the small intestine (the duodenum). Preparation for endoscopy usually requires discontinuing certain medications and stopping food and drink within a specified time. These tips and information can help you prepare for an endoscopy and relieve any • Prior to an endoscopy, your doctor will provide you with written instructions that detail the steps to take to prepare for the procedure. Usually the process involves discontinuing (stopping) certain medications on a particular timeline. Every doctor may have different preferences, so even if you’ve had an endoscopy before, you should read and follow the doctor’s instructions very carefully. If you have questions about any endoscopy prep information, call your doctor’s office for clarification. • Most people receive sedation to make an endoscopy more comfortable, but sedation increases the possibility of stomach contents refluxing into the esophagus and being breathed into the lungs. For this reason (and to get the best look at your stomach lining), your doctor will want you to stop eating and drinking several hours before the procedure. This timing will vary depending on when your procedure is scheduled. Doctors typically ask that y...

Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more. Advanced Search: • Use “ “ for phrases o [ “pediatric abdominal pain” ] • Use – to remove results with certain terms o [ “abdominal pain” –pediatric ] • Use OR to account for alternate terms o [teenager OR adolescent ] Search A-Z Flexible endoscopes equipped with video cameras can be used to view the upper gastrointestinal tract from pharynx to proximal duodenum and the lower gastrointestinal tract from anus to cecum (and, sometimes, terminal ileum). The deeper parts of the jejunum and ileum can be assessed with specialized, longer enteroscopes. Several other diagnostic and therapeutic interventions also can be done endoscopically. The potential to combine diagnosis and therapy in one procedure gives endoscopy a significant advantage over studies that provide only imaging (eg, x-ray contrast studies, CT, MRI) and often outweighs endoscopy’s higher cost and need for sedation. Endoscopy generally requires IV sedation. Exceptions are Anoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy (See also How To Do Anoscopy.) Anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are used to evaluate symptoms referable to the rectum or anus (eg, bright rectal bleeding, discharge, protrusions, pain). In addition... read more , which generally require no sedation. Other complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and serious pulmonary events, after screening or surveillance colonoscopy are low and no higher than after other low-risk procedures (eg, joint inj...

When a gastroenterologist (a doctor who treats conditions of the digestive tract) suspects a problem in the small intestine, an enteroscopy can provide a look inside and access to the problem area. What is an enteroscopy? Enteroscopy is a procedure to examine the small intestine (small bowel) and treat issues at the same time. This part of the intestine is over 20 feet long and just 1 inch wide, which makes it difficult to access. There are several techniques a gastroenterologist may use to gain access deep into the small intestine, including video capsule endoscopy, double balloon enteroscopy, single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy. Balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy are collectively known as deep enteroscopy. Types of Enteroscopy Double Balloon Enteroscopy Sometimes called push-and-pull enteroscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy, double balloon enteroscopy is a nonsurgical procedure that finds and treats problems deep inside the small bowel. It uses a flexible tube with a camera (an endoscope) that is placed inside a wider tube. A gastroenterologist guides both tubes into the small intestine. Each tube has a balloon on one end. Alternately inflating and deflating the balloons and carefully pushing and pulling, the doctor can gather up the small intestine onto the outer tube, one section at a time, almost like gathering a curtain onto a curtain rod or pushing a sleeve up on your arm. Compacting the length of the small intestine makes it easier for the ...

In general, it is recommended that you stick to a soft or bland diet for the first few days after your endoscopy. This means avoiding spicy, fried, or fatty foods that can irritate the digestive tract and cause discomfort. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these can also contribute to gastrointestinal irritation. 5 Foods to Avoid After an Endoscopy Spicy foods Spicy food could potentially cause an inflammatory reaction in your digestive tract. Fried foods Fried foods are difficult to digest and can lead to abdominal pain and bloating. Fatty foods Fatty foods can slow down digestion and delay stomach emptying, which can lead to discomfort after an endoscopy. Alcohol Alcohol can irritate the digestive tract and can cause abdominal pain. Caffeine Caffeine can contribute to gastrointestinal irritation. 5 Foods to Eat After an Endoscopy Clear liquids Clear liquids are easy to digest and will help keep you hydrated. Examples include water, broth, and unsweetened juice. Bananas Bananas are a Applesauce Applesauce is easy to digest and contains pectin, a type of soluble fiber that can promote bowel regularity. Oatmeal Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber, which can help bulk up stool and ease constipation. White rice White rice is a bland, easily-digestible starch that can help settle an upset stomach. When to Call Your Doctor If you experience any of the following symptoms after your endoscopy, you should call your doctor: • Abdominal pain that is severe or persistent • ...