Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a long flexible tube with an attached camera is inserted through an incision or an opening in the body (such as the mouth or anus) so that the doctor can view an internal organ or a piece of tissue minutely..
Endoscopies are performed not only to observe the insides of an area in the body but also to perform minor surgeries, or remove some tissue for biopsy.
Types :
Endoscopy is useful for investigating many systems within the human body; these areas include:
- Gastrointestinal tract: esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), small intestine (enteroscopy), large intestine/colon (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), bile duct, rectum (rectoscopy), and anus (anoscopy).
- Respiratory tract: Nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy). Nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy).
- Ear: Otoscopy
- Urinary tract: Cystoscopy
- Female reproductive tract (gynoscopy): Cervix (colposcopy), uterus (hysteroscopy), fallopian tubes (falloposcopy).
- Through a small incision: Abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy), interior of a joint (arthroscopy), organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy).
- Vaginal bleeding
- Blood in the urine.
- Stomach ulcer.
- Acid reflux (GERD).
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease.
- Chronic constipation.
- Pancreatitis.
- Gallstones.
- Problems in the digestive tract, for example, unexplained bleeding
- Tumors
- Infections
- Blockage of the esophagus
- A hiatal hernia
The risks depend on the type of endoscopy performed and the area of the body involved. Some common risks include:
- Swelling and redness at the incision site
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Passing dark coloured stools after a colonoscopy
- Pain in the area where endoscopy was performed
- Damage to nearby organs
- Uterine bleeding or cervical trauma after a hysteroscopy
- Pain in the chest