Stomach tumor identified with endoscopy (arrow)

Endoscopy means to “look within” and describes a procedure to view inside the body. Biopsies may be taken, and foreign bodies may be retrieved during this procedure. Gastric (stomach) feeding tubes may be placed with endoscopy as well. These tubes may be needed in cases where nutritional support is indicated for short and long-term illness. When used by itself, the term endoscopy usually refers to the examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and duodenum). The advantage of endoscopy is simple. It is less invasive than surgery (no incision) and less expensive. The disadvantage of endoscopy is that sometimes larger biopsies are required to make a diagnosis and that the entire intestinal tract cannot be evaluated. Specialized forms of endoscopy are performed in certain cases and are named for the organs examined. For example, bronchoscopy evaluates the trachea and lower airways. Other forms of endoscopy are rhinoscopy (nasal passage), cystoscopy (urinary tract), vaginoscopy (vaginal vault), and colonoscopy (colon) Endoscopy services are available on a routine and emergency basis. It is a common outpatient procedure and generally requires only 12 hour fasting.

 

	Esophageal stricture		Gastritis inflammation of the stomach lining seen on endoscopy. Numerous mucosal erosions are present, causing the patchy appearance seen here.
	Rectal tumor identified during colonoscopy (arrow)