ENDOSCOPY
Endoscopy is the visual inspection of the interior of the gut through the use of an endoscope. A small caliber tube containing fibers or video optics is inserted through the mouth allowing the endoscopist to view the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum and pancreatico billiary.
Sometimes the procedure is simply for diagnostic purposes (simply an examination), and other times the procedure is used for therapeutic purposes, such as the removal of a tissue sample for biopsy or even the removal of a polyp, stopping bleeding from varices, peptic ulcers, a-v malformation, removal of stones from CBD and putting stents in CBD, CPD or the esophagus after dilation of strictures.
More accurate and timely diagnoses are now possible. The video imaging system is networked for computer storage, which allows full-color hard print and VCR documentation of each procedure, long-term storage of all images and videotape recordings of procedures when required.
Given understandable concerns about the transmission of infectious agents, our ability to clean and sterilize endoscopic equipment is critical. Uhealth medical centre’s staff members have substantial experience in infection control, and all equipment is disinfected or sterilized according to the highest standards for health care facilities.
COLONOSCOPY & SIGMOIDOSCOPY
Colonoscopy or coloscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large bowel and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It can provide a visual diagnosis (e.g. ulceration, polyps) and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected colorectal cancer lesions.
Colonoscopy can remove polyps as small as one millimetre or less. Once polyps are removed, they can be studied with the aid of a microscope to determine if they are precancerous or not. It takes 15 years or fewer for a polyp to turn cancerous
Conditions that call for colonoscopies include gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unexplained changes in bowel habit and suspicion of malignancy. Colonoscopies are often used to diagnose colon cancer, but are also frequently used to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease.
In older patients (sometimes even younger ones) an unexplained drop in hematocrit (one sign of anemia) is an indication that calls for a colonoscopy, usually along with an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), even if no obvious blood has been seen in the stool (feces).
A sigmoidoscopy, also called a flexible sigmoidoscopy, is a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your sigmoid colon by using a flexible tube with a light on it. It helps your doctor check for: ulcers. abnormal cells. polyps.