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Endoscopy is a process that allows physicians to better examine the body’s passageways, including the esophagus, stomach, colon, etc. Through a piece of equipment known as an endoscope, the doctor can directly look at specific areas to better evaluate and detect problems.

University Hospital’s Endoscopy Unit performs a variety of standard procedures (see below), and many advanced procedures on a daily basis, including stent placements, cryotherapy, Bravo pH studies, fine needle aspiration (FNA), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement, direct J-tube placement, manometry with impedence, capsule endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic bronchial ultrasound, and Halo treatment.

The latest technologies in endoscopic procedures, such as autoflorences (used to identify cancerous tissue in the pulmonary airways) and pleuroscopies (used to obtain an open lung biopsy without the need for surgery and recovery), are continuously presented in our teaching facility.  We also visualize the inside of the bile duct for diagnostic and therapeutic treatment using the SpyGlass system.

The Endoscopy Unit is located on the second floor of the Main Hospital Building, in the Diagnostic Center, and is staffed by 41 pulmonary, surgery, and gastroenterology / hepatology and 25 dedicated endoscopy professionals.  The staff includes experienced intensive care unit and emergency room nurses, 12 of whom are certified in advanced therapeutic procedures.

Selected Procedures

The following are a sample of the vast number of procedures performed in University Hospital's Endoscopy Unit.  We specialize in complicated and challenging cases and accept referrals from across the country.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

EGD is a procedure that allows a physician to view the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small bowel (duodenum) through a scope that is passed through the mouth. Symptoms that may call for an EGD are nausea, vomiting, heartburn, difficulty swallowing and pain.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the visualization of the colon from the rectum to the cecum (beginning of the large intestine). Colonoscopies screen for colon cancer, bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, IBD, surveillance of Crohn's Disease or colitis

Sigmiodoscopy

Sigmiodoscopy is a visualization of approximately eight inches of the colon. No sedation is required for this test. This screens for colorectal cancer and evaluates persistent diarrhea and bleeding from internal hemorrhoids.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP)

ERCP is a visualization of the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts with use of fluoroscopy. It is used to diagnose and treat biliary tree and pancreatic diseases.

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy is used as a vital diagnostic tool to evaluate for liver diseases. A tissue sample of the liver is taken through a needle during a liver biopsy.

Small Bowel Enteroscopy

Small Bowel Enteroscopy is a visual examination of the small bowel.  It is used to find sources of chronic bleeding or undiagnosed bleeding when standard endoscopic procedures have not identified a source.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

A technique in which a high frequency transducer is built into the tip of an endoscope and is used to visualize images of the GI tract and adjoining structures within 45 centimeters of the gastrointestinal wall. Endoscopic ultrasound is used to find and stage tumors, biopsy nodes and drain cysts.

Manometry

Manometry is a procedure that measures pressures at different sites in the body for diagnostic purposes. Different types of manometry are anorectal, esophageal, and Sphincter of Oddi.

pH Monitoring

An endoscopically-placed recording device can measure the level of pH in the esophagus, using either a 24-hour catheter or a 48-hour capsule. The patient wears a recording device and returns in 24 or 48 hours to have it removed and its images downloaded. pH monitoring is used to document abnormal esophageal acid exposure and monitor patients with GERD.

Capsule Endoscopy

Using an imaging capsule that contains a camera, a physician may see the entire small bowel.  Capsule endoscopy is used to view the small bowel of individuals with unexplained bleeding and suspected small bowel disease.

PillCam  >> Click for Slideshow

The PillCam procedure examines the esophagus using a capsule which contains a camera.
No sedation is required.  It is used to evaluate potential GERD, erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus.

Secretin Testing

A medication injection and series of timed blood draws are used to assist in the diagnosis of gastrinoma.

Paracentesis

Paracentesis drains excess fluid, which accumulates due to certain liver diseases, from the abdomen.

Feeding Tube Placement

A feeding tube is placed in the stomach or jejunum to provide alternative nutrition for individuals who are unable to eat.

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis drains excess fluid from the pleural cavity (the space that surrounds the lungs). It is performed for patients who have accumulated excess fluid in their pleural cavities and, commonly, lung cancer patients.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is the direct visualization of the upper respiratory system.  A bronchoscopy may be used to collect specimens, biopsy suspicious tissues or a place a bronchial stent.

Pleuroscopy

Pleuroscopy is used to obtain a biopsy of the outer lung without the need for invasive surgery.

Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)

Endobronchial ultrasound uses a high frequency transducer to visualize areas outside the lungs and large airways.  EBUS is used to biopsy lymph nodes and stage tumors.

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