Endoscopy Overview
Learn About Endoscopy
An endoscope is passed through a natural body opening or small cut. There are many types of endoscopes. Each one is named according to the organs or areas they are used to examine.
Preparation for the procedure varies depending on the test. For example, there is no preparation needed for anoscopy. But a special diet and laxatives are needed to prepare for a colonoscopy. Follow your health care provider's instructions.
All of these tests may cause discomfort or pain. Some are done after sedatives and pain medicines are given. Check with your provider about what to expect.
Each endoscopy test is done for different reasons. Endoscopy is most often used to examine and treat parts of the digestive tract, such as:
- Anoscopy views the inside of the anus, the very lowest part of the colon.
- Colonoscopy views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum.
- Enteroscopy views the inside of the small intestine (small bowel).
- ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) views the biliary tract, small tubes that drain the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
- Sigmoidoscopy views the inside of the lower part of the colon called the sigmoid colon and rectum.
- Upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD) views the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (called the duodenum).
- Bronchoscopy is used to look in the airways (windpipe, or trachea) and lungs.
- Cystoscopy is used to view the inside of the bladder. The scope is passed through the opening of the urethra.
- Laparoscopy is used to look directly at the ovaries, appendix, or other abdominal organs. The scope is inserted through small surgical cuts in the pelvic or belly area. Tumors or organs in the abdomen or pelvis can be removed.
- Arthroscopy is used to look directly in the joints, such as the knee. The scope is inserted through small surgical cuts around the joint. Problems with bones, tendons, ligaments can be treated.
Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera and light on the end of it. This instrument is called an endoscope.
Small instruments can be inserted through an endoscope and used to:
- Look more closely at an area inside the body
- Take samples of abnormal tissues (biopsy)
- Treat certain diseases
- Remove tumors
- Stop bleeding
- Remove foreign bodies (such as food stuck in the esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach)
Each endoscopy test has its own risks. Your provider will explain the risks to you before the procedure.
North Mississippi Medical Center, Inc.
Renee Walters is a Hospital Medicine provider in Tupelo, Mississippi. Dr. Walters has been practicing medicine for over 12 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Endoscopy. Her top areas of expertise are Liver Failure, Gallbladder Disease, Intestinal Cancer, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Walters is currently accepting new patients.
North Mississippi Medical Center, Inc.
Brady Russell is a Hospital Medicine provider in Tupelo, Mississippi. Dr. Russell and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Endoscopy. His top areas of expertise are Liver Failure, Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Gallbladder Disease, Gastrostomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Russell is currently accepting new patients.
North Mississippi Medical Center, Inc.
David Pizzimenti is a Hospital Medicine provider in Tupelo, Mississippi. Dr. Pizzimenti and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Endoscopy. His top areas of expertise are Liver Failure, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), Ocular Hypertension (OHT), Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Pizzimenti is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: This registry is to evaluate the procedural and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection. All patients will receive standard of medical care and no experimental interventions will be performed.
Summary: The purpose is to find out if intraoperative acupuncture performed by needling PC 6 and LI4 point bilaterally, and Yin Tang point will help reduce the incidence postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy when added to a prophylactic regimen consisting of ondansetron and dexamethasone. The hypothesis is that the addition of this acupuncture treatment to on...
Published Date: May 03, 2023
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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