Gastroenterology at GBMC
Endoscopic Procedures
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon with a small flexible lighted scope; used for screening purposes of abnormalities of the rectum and sigmoid colon.
Proctosigmoidoscopy
Examination of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon with a rigid lighted scope; used for screening purposes of abnormalities of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon.
Hemorrhoid Banding
Examination of the rectum with the use of an anoscope; bleeding hemorrhoids can be seen and ligated (placing an elastic band over an internal hemorrhoid).
Rectal Motility Study
Procedure during which a small tube-like device with or without inflatable balloons is passed into the rectum. Anal sphincter muscle strength and sensation is measured; used to determine cause of constipation and rectal incontinence.
Esophageal Motility Study
Procedure during which a calibrated catheter containing a small pressure transducer along its length is swallowed; measures upper and lower esophageal sphincter muscle pressure. Baseline measurements are taken and recorded before, during and after swallowing; used to evaluate achalasia, diffuse spasm of the esophagus and scleroderma.
Bernstein Test
Test designed to evaluate esophageal mucosa; patients with gastric reflux often have symptoms of epigastric or retrosternal pain that radiates to the back or arms; used to distinguish between chest pain of the esophagus and chest pain of cardiac origin.
48-Hour pH Probe
Procedure during which a catheter is placed in the esophagus to determine the presence of acid in the esophagus; controlled on medication in correlation with symptoms will document gastric reflux over 48 hours during normal activity of patient
Gastric Analysis
Retrieval of gastric secretions through a nasogastric tube to determine hydrochloric acid levels in both baseline and stimulated conditions; used to determine hypersecretory state (gastrinoma, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome)
Colonoscopy
Examination of the colon from rectum to the ileocecal valve and appendix using a lighted fiberoptic scope to observe for abnormalities such as bleeding sites, polyps, inflammations or tumors; biopsies may be taken to determine the presence of Colitis/Crohn's disease and remove polyps.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Direct visualization of the esophagus, stomach and proximal duodenum; procedure allows the physician to diagnose, treat and document abnormalities such as ulcers, inflammation and tumors.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic examination used to determine the presence of gall stones in the common bile duct; also used to document abnormality of pancreas and treat obstruction by placing stents or removing stones from bile duct
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Combination of ultrasonography and endoscopy to image the gastrointestinal wall and adjacent structures; used for the evaluation and/or staging of tumors of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and pancreas.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
Non-surgical placement of a small bore tube into the stomach for the purpose of nutritional support using and endoscope.
Paracentesis
Withdrawal of peritoneal fluid for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes using a large-bore needle; used to evaluate ascites.
Small Bowel Enteroscopy
Direct visual inspection of the small bowel using an enteroscope passed through the stomach into the small intestine to determine and treat bleeding of the small bowel and detect small bowel abnormalities.
Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy
Direct visualization of the small bowel using miniature camera technology in a capsule
Examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon with a small flexible lighted scope; used for screening purposes of abnormalities of the rectum and sigmoid colon.
Proctosigmoidoscopy
Examination of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon with a rigid lighted scope; used for screening purposes of abnormalities of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon.
Hemorrhoid Banding
Examination of the rectum with the use of an anoscope; bleeding hemorrhoids can be seen and ligated (placing an elastic band over an internal hemorrhoid).
Rectal Motility Study
Procedure during which a small tube-like device with or without inflatable balloons is passed into the rectum. Anal sphincter muscle strength and sensation is measured; used to determine cause of constipation and rectal incontinence.
Esophageal Motility Study
Procedure during which a calibrated catheter containing a small pressure transducer along its length is swallowed; measures upper and lower esophageal sphincter muscle pressure. Baseline measurements are taken and recorded before, during and after swallowing; used to evaluate achalasia, diffuse spasm of the esophagus and scleroderma.
Bernstein Test
Test designed to evaluate esophageal mucosa; patients with gastric reflux often have symptoms of epigastric or retrosternal pain that radiates to the back or arms; used to distinguish between chest pain of the esophagus and chest pain of cardiac origin.
48-Hour pH Probe
Procedure during which a catheter is placed in the esophagus to determine the presence of acid in the esophagus; controlled on medication in correlation with symptoms will document gastric reflux over 48 hours during normal activity of patient
Gastric Analysis
Retrieval of gastric secretions through a nasogastric tube to determine hydrochloric acid levels in both baseline and stimulated conditions; used to determine hypersecretory state (gastrinoma, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome)
Colonoscopy
Examination of the colon from rectum to the ileocecal valve and appendix using a lighted fiberoptic scope to observe for abnormalities such as bleeding sites, polyps, inflammations or tumors; biopsies may be taken to determine the presence of Colitis/Crohn's disease and remove polyps.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Direct visualization of the esophagus, stomach and proximal duodenum; procedure allows the physician to diagnose, treat and document abnormalities such as ulcers, inflammation and tumors.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic examination used to determine the presence of gall stones in the common bile duct; also used to document abnormality of pancreas and treat obstruction by placing stents or removing stones from bile duct
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Combination of ultrasonography and endoscopy to image the gastrointestinal wall and adjacent structures; used for the evaluation and/or staging of tumors of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and pancreas.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
Non-surgical placement of a small bore tube into the stomach for the purpose of nutritional support using and endoscope.
Paracentesis
Withdrawal of peritoneal fluid for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes using a large-bore needle; used to evaluate ascites.
Small Bowel Enteroscopy
Direct visual inspection of the small bowel using an enteroscope passed through the stomach into the small intestine to determine and treat bleeding of the small bowel and detect small bowel abnormalities.
Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy
Direct visualization of the small bowel using miniature camera technology in a capsule