Procedures

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A colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). A thin, flexible tube is used to look at the colon. The colonoscope has a small camera attached so that your doctor can take pictures of the large intestine. A colonoscopy helps find ulcers, colon polyps, tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During the colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected (biopsy) and abnormal growths can be removed. A colonoscopy can also be used to screen for cancer or precancerous growths in the colon or rectum.

An ERCP is a test that combines the use of a flexible scope with X-ray pictures to examine the tubes that drain the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and guided down the throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum until it reaches the point where the ducts from the pancreas (pancreatic ducts) and gallbladder (bile ducts) drain into the duodenum. ERCP's help: 

• Investigate persistent abdominal pain or jaundice
• Find and remove gallstones
• Diagnose diseases of the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas
• Open a narrowed bile duct with a stent 

Upper endoscopy (EGD) is a procedure in which a thin scope with a camera looks inside the upper digestive tract, esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. This procedure is commonly used to help identify the causes of abdominal or chest pain, nausea and vomiting, heartburn, intestinal bleeding, and swallowing problems.

Performed in our office by a member of our office staff, capsule endoscopy enables your doctor to examine your entire small intestine. Patients ingest a video capsule that has its own camera and light source. The exam lasts for eight hours, during which time you are free to go about your normal daily activities. While the video capsule travels through your body, it sends images to a data recorder you will wear close to your waist. After, your doctor will view a color video of the images taken by the capsule and will contact you with the results.