An endoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses specialized instruments to view and operate on the internal organs and vessels of your body. It allows surgeons to see problems within your body without making large incisions. A surgeon inserts an endoscope through a small cut or an opening in the body such as the mouth. An endoscope is a flexible tube with an attached camera that allows your doctor to see. Your doctor can use forceps and scissors on the endoscope to operate or remove tissue for biopsy.

Endoscopy allows your doctor to visually examine an organ without having to make a large incision. A screen in the operating room lets the doctor see exactly what the endoscope sees.

Endoscopy is typically used to: It help your doctor determine the cause of any abnormal symptoms you’re having remove a small sample of tissue, which can then be sent to a lab for further testing; this is called an endoscopic biopsy help your doctor see inside the body during a surgical procedure, such as repairing a stomach ulcer, or removing gallstones or tumors.

Most types of endoscopy require you to stop eating solid foods for up to 12 hours before the procedure. Some types of clear liquids, such as water or juice, might be allowed for up to two hours before the procedure. Your doctor will clarify this with you. Your doctor may give you laxatives or enemas to use the night before the procedure to clear your system. This is common in procedures involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the anus. Prior to the endoscopy, your doctor will do a physical examination and go over your complete medical history, including any prior surgeries. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and nutritional supplements. Also alert your doctor about any allergies you might have. You may need to stop taking certain medications if they might affect bleeding, especially anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

Capsule endoscopy: A revolutionary procedure known as a capsule endoscopy may be used when other tests aren’t conclusive. During a capsule endoscopy, you swallow a small pill with a tiny camera inside. The capsule passes through your digestive tract, without any discomfort to you, and creates thousands of images of the intestines as it moves through.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP combines X-rays with upper GI endoscopy to diagnose or treat problems with the bile and pancreatic ducts.

Chromoendoscopy: Chromoendoscopy is a technique that uses a specialized stain or dye on the lining of the intestine during an endoscopy procedure. The dye helps the doctor better visualize if there’s anything abnormal on the intestinal lining.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): EUS uses an ultrasound in conjunction with an endoscopy. This allows doctors to see organs and other structures that aren’t usually visible during a regular endoscopy. A thin needle can then be inserted into the organ or structure to retrieve some tissue for viewing under a microscope. This procedure is called fine needle aspiration.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): EMR is a technique used to help doctors remove cancerous tissue in the digestive tract. In EMR, a needle is passed through the endoscope to inject a liquid underneath the abnormal tissue. This helps separate the cancerous tissue from the other layers so it can be more easily removed.

Narrow band imaging (NBI): NBI uses a special filter to help create more contrast between vessels and the mucosa. The mucosa is the inner lining of the digestive tract, related manuscripts are accepted to publish in Journal of Diagnostic Techniques and Biomedical Analysis.

Katherine Gray
Editorial Coordinator
Journal of Diagnostic Techniques and Biomedical Analysis
SciTechnol Journals
diagnostics@scitecjournals.com