Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses and a long, thin instrument with a light and a camera to view the inside of your digestive tract.
When done through the rectum to examine the colon, this is called a colonoscopy. When it goes through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach and/or the upper small bowel (duodenum), it is called an upper GI endoscopy.
Endoscopies may be diagnostic in nature, or they can be used to deliver treatment in a minimally invasive way, which is called interventional endoscopy.
At University of Maryland Medical Center our gastroenterologists perform endoscopies in our endoscopy suite in downtown Baltimore.
Interventional Endoscopy
When procedures are given via endoscopy, this is an interventional endoscopy. Examples include:
- Examining the pancreatic and bile ducts, called ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
- Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, and acute and chronic pancreatitis
- Diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer or precancerous condition such as Barrett's esophagus
- Management of bile duct stones and bile leaks
- Drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, a fluid-filled sac of pancreatic enzymes
- Esophageal stenting
- Balloon enteroscopy to diagnose obscure GI bleeding and Crohn's disease
Endoscopic Ultrasound
This procedure uses a special endoscope that has an ultrasound device at its end. It uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of your digestive tract. It is used to:
- Determine the stage of gastrointestinal cancer
- Drain pancreatic pseudocysts
- Evaluate masses that are under a layer of mucus membrane
- Evaluate cystic pancreatic lesions
- Evaluation of other intrathoracic or intra-abdominal abnormalities
Capsule Endoscopy
Wireless capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive test designed to diagnose Crohn's disease and other hard-to-detect GI bleeding. It can also be used to diagnose GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Patients swallow a capsule about the size of a multivitamin that has a camera attached to it. As this capsule moves through the intestines, it takes pictures, which are transmitted to a small data recorder that patients wear. These pictures are later downloaded and interpreted by a physician.
Typically, the disposable capsule passes in anywhere from one to three days after its ingestion. In 1 percent of cases, the capsule may take extended periods of time to pass. Also, in rare cases, the capsule can obstruct the small intestine.
UMMC has physicians experienced in performing and reading capsule endoscopy tests. If a problem is found, we have GI specialists who can treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and other GI diseases.
Certificate of Recognition
As part of its Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) acknowledged the University of Maryland Medical Center's endoscopy team for their adherence to ASGE safety guidelines and commitment to quality assurance in endoscopy. The Medical Center's endoscopy unit was one of 33 units in the United States to be honored with this distinction.
The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines.