Endoscopy

Rhinoscopy and pharyngoscopy are performed to evaluate the nasal passages in patients with nasal discharge, sneezing, reverse-sneezing, nasal bleeding, and increased nasal noise. Fungal disease of the nose is treated with the assistance of rhinoscopy. Nasal tumors or polyps can be debulked to provide immediate respiratory relief.

Bronchoscopy and tracheoscopy are performed to evaluate the lower airway for patients with coughing, breathing difficulties, or the radiographic diagnoses of pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma.

Esophagoscopy is performed to evaluate the esophagus in patients that regurgitate, have trouble swallowing, have megaesophagus, or have an esophageal foreign body. Esophageal strictures are dilated using endoscopic visualization.

Gastroscopy is performed to evaluate the stomach and to obtain biopsies in patients who vomit, have a decreased appetite, or have been found to have gastric thickening or a gastric foreign body. Gastric foreign bodies are usually able to be retrieved by gastroscopy allowing the patient to avoid surgery.

Duodenoscopy is performed to evaluate the upper small intestine and to obtain biopsies in patients with small intestinal diarrhea, small intestinal thickening, or melena. Fecal transplantation may be performed via duodenoscopy in patients with intestinal bacterial dysbiosis.

Colonoscopy is performed to evaluate the large intestines (colon, cecum, and rectum) and to obtain biopsies in patients with large intestinal diarrhea, blood in the stool, or large intestinal thickening. Rectal polyps can be biopsied or may be able to be removed via colonoscopy. Fecal transplantation may be performed via colonoscopy in patients with large intestinal bacterial dysbiosis.

Ileoscopy is performed to evaluate the ileum (lower small intestine) in patients with small intestinal diarrhea particularly when thickening of the ileum or lower jejunum is identified via ultrasound examination.  Ileoscopy is performed via colonoscopy.

Vaginoscopy, urethroscopy, and cystoscopy are performed to evaluate the lower urinary tract in patients who have urinary incontinence, increased urinary frequency, bloody urine, straining to urinate, bladder thickening, tumors, bladder stones, or recurrent urinary tract infections. Small bladder stones can be removed endoscopically and biopsies can be obtained.

• We commonly perform endoscopy to remove foreign bodies from the esophagus, stomach, nasal passages, and lower airways allowing patients to avoid surgery.
• Feeding tubes are placed as a measure to provide nutritional support while a patient’s medical condition is brought under control. Options for feeding tubes are case-dependent but include nasoesophageal tubes, esophagostomy tubes, stomach tubes, and enteral feeding tubes. Stomach tubes are placed via gastroscopy (PEG [percutaneous endoscopically-placed gastrostomy] tubes).  Jejunal feeding tubes can be placed endoscopically (J-thru-G tubes) to bypass the pancreas in patients with severe pancreatitis or other causes of severe vomiting.
• Small bladder stones can also be removed via cystoscopy.
• Fungal infections of the nasal passages are treated with the assistance of endoscopy.
• Nasal tumors or polyps are often removed or debulked with the endoscope to provide immediate respiratory relief.
• Fecal transplantation can be performed via duodenoscopy or colonoscopy for patients with intestinal bacterial dysbiosis.
• Esophageal strictures are dilated using endoscopic visualization. Placement of esophageal balloon dilators (BE-tubes) are placed with the assistance of endoscopy and digital radiography / fluoroscopy.
• Rectal polyps may be able to be removed via colonoscopy.