Colorectal
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure used to view the large intestine (colon and rectum) using an instrument called colonoscope (a flexible tube with a small camera and lens attached at one end). The procedure can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. It is used to diagnose early signs of colorectal cancer, bowel disorders, abdominal pain, muscle spasms, inflamed tissue, ulcers, anal bleeding, and non-dietary weight loss.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a minimally invasive examination of the lining of the lower large intestine to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or changes in bowel habits. A sigmoidoscope is used and is a long, flexible, tubular instrument, in effect a smaller short version of a colonoscope.
Band Ligation of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidal band ligation, which is also known as rubber band ligation is a procedure that involves tying the hemorrhoid at its base with a rubber band, cutting off the blood flow to the hemorrhoid. This procedure is performed only for internal hemorrhoids.
Nonsurgical Treatment of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids or piles are masses or lumps formed due to swollen blood vessels in the rectum. Conservative treatment, such as warm baths, high-fiber diet, stool softeners, fluid intake, topical analgesics and steroid cream, can help treat mild forms of hemorrhoids. In severe stages, they may become infected or protrude from the anus (prolapsed hemorrhoid) and require removal.
Screening for Colon Polyps and Cancer
Colon polyps and colon cancer screenings are tests performed to look for polyps or cancer in the colon of patients that have not experienced any signs or symptoms of colon polyps or cancer.
Surveillance of Patients with a History of Colon Polyps and Cancer
Surveillance of patients with a history of colon polyps and cancer refers to the process of evaluating these patients at specific intervals to look for evidence of recurrence of the colon cancer or colon polyps.
Hemorrhoid Therapy
CRH banding is a minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatment procedure where a small tight rubber band is placed around the internal hemorrhoid tissue, causing the tissue to shrivel up and form a small scar. The result is relief of symptoms like bleeding and swelling.
Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging (sonography), is a method of obtaining images from inside the human body through the use of high-frequency sound waves. These waves are too high-pitched for the human ear to hear, but the waves echo as they hit a dense object, such as an organ.
Rectal Ultrasound
Ultrasound scans use sound waves that build a picture of the structures inside the body. To scan the prostate gland, a small probe is passed through the anal opening, which takes images of the prostate. This type of scan is used to measure the size and density of the gland.
Upper GI And Metabolic Diseases
Upper GI Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy is a minimally invasive examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, consisting of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This procedure is used to evaluate for causes of abdominal pain, nausea, swallowing problems, stubborn heartburn, suspected ulcers, other forms of inflammation, suspected tumors, as well as to identify and correct bleeding problems in these areas.
Esophageal Dilation
Esophageal dilation is a procedure done to enlarge a narrow or strictured part of the esophagus, or in some cases to dilate the narrowed exit of the stomach or stricture in the duodenum (first part of the intestine). After gastric bariatric surgery, for example, sometimes the exit of the pouch has scarred and food will not pass, so dilation is necessary.
Esophageal Manometry
Problems of swallowing, chest pain, stubborn heartburn and others sometimes result from esophagus diseases which require learning about the muscle and nerve functions of the esophagus, analyzing the “motility” (contraction or peristalsis patterns) and learning if there are abnormal levels of stomach acid in the esophagus.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
EMR is a minimally-invasive procedure to remove polyps from the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The digestive tract or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a series of hollow organs including the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and the anus.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
Endoscopic submucosal dissection is an advanced surgical procedure performed with the help of an endoscope, a flexible tube-like device with a light source and camera, to remove gastrointestinal tumors that are underneath the mucosal layer but have not entered the muscle layer. ESD procedures may be conducted in the esophagus, stomach, or colon.
Gastric Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM)
Gastric refers to the stomach, peroral means through the mouth, endoscopic means performed through an endoscope, and myotomy means cutting the muscle.
Stent placement
A gastrointestinal stent is a small flexible metallic or plastic mesh tube that is placed in specific regions in your digestive tract such as the esophagus, stomach, or intestine(bowel) to relieve a blockage and open up the passage. It is usually recommended for the treatment of partial or complete obstruction caused due to gastrointestinal cancers both in the early stage and also in the late stage (high risk patients).
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure that reduces the size of your stomach (around 70%) using a special suturing device that is attached to the end of an endoscope. This procedure restricts your food intake so you feel full quicker and helps you to cut down on calories and achieve an ideal weight. You will also see a marked improvement in metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension due to the associated weight loss.
Advanced GI Procedures
Endoscopy Ultrasound (EUS)
A procedure that combines an endoscope and high frequency sound waves to obtain high quality ultrasound images of the upper digestive tract in order to screen for diseases like hidden gallstones, and to evaluate possible tumors.
ERCP
An ERCP is a procedure used to diagnose and treat diseases of the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and liver. ERCP combines endoscopy and x-ray in order to gain access to bile ducts and pancreas to create detailed “road maps” and then use tiny instruments to fix problems found there.
Capsule Endoscopy
Sometimes, despite doing colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy for a direct look in the lower and upper digestive reasons, the cause of a medical problem still isn’t clear and the small intestine may be the source. A capsule camera endoscopy is a non-invasive examination to search for bleeding or other ailments in the small intestine.
Outpatient Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG or G tube) is the least invasive way of placing a feeding tube directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall to allow “enteral feeding”, that is, putting food directly into the digestive tract and bypassing the mouth and esophagus.
Bravo pH Study
The Bravo pH test is a test to study pH levels (levels of acidity) in the lower part of the esophagus(the tube leading from the mouth to the stomach) over a 48 hour period. This helps in detecting the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux where the acidic contents of the stomach move backwards into the esophagus.
Esophageal Motility
Esophageal motility refers to the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the esophagus or food pipe to produce a wave-like motion that propels food and liquids from the mouth towards the stomach.
Radiofrequency Ablation and Endoscopic Eradication Methods for Barrett's Esophagus
Radiofrequency ablation is the use of high-energy radio waves to destroy abnormal cells and tissue. This procedure can be used by surgeons for endoscopic eradication of Barrett’s esophagus.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
Endoscopic submucosal dissection is an advanced surgical procedure performed with the help of an endoscope, a flexible tube-like device with a light source and camera, to remove gastrointestinal tumors that are underneath the mucosal layer but have not entered the muscle layer. ESD procedures may be conducted in the esophagus, stomach, or colon.