Endoscopy
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Key Endoscopic Investigations

 

To watch a selection of video tutorials explaining these procedures please visit this fantastic website www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/

 

Gastroscopy: An examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.  This allows excellent visualisation of the upper intestine.  It is the best invasive test for patients with heartburn or indigestion.

Retroflexed view of the normal stomach taken from Gastrolab Archive

Duodenal Ulcer taken from Gastrolab Archive

 

Colonoscopy: A camera examination of the large bowel or colon.  This is the best invasive test to rule out bowel cancer and to remove polyps from the bowel. 

Classical view of the caecum taken from Gastrolab Archive

Enteroscopy:  An examination of the upper small bowel.  

 

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-pancreaticography): An examination of the bile ducts which allows stones to be removed if they get stuck and cause jaundice.

Gallstones removed from the common bile duct at ERCP, taken from Gastrolab Archive.

EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound):  Like a gastroscopy but allows very detailed pictures of the pancreas and bile ducts to be taken using sound waves.

 

Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy.  Sometimes if a gastroscopy and colonoscopy have been carried out and there is no other explanation for a serious problem such as profound anaemia requiring repeated blood transfusions then it is important to get pictures of the small bowel.  This can now be done using a small pill sized camera that can be swallowed and will take pictures as it passes naturally through the small intestine.

All these investigations will be carried out by a fully qualified Consultant either by Dr Philip Mairs or through our network of approved colleagues.  Gastroscopy and colonoscopy including advanced therapeutic techniques are available at Fawkham Manor Hospital.  NHS patients will have access to these investigations via Darent Valley Hospital, though there can be a wait of several weeks, especially for non-urgent cases.

Bravo capsule ambulatory 48  hour pH monitoring check link.  This is now available for our patients via BMI Chelsfield and Fawkham.  This allows correct measurement of the acid in the oesophagus of patients with symptoms such as reflux or atypical chest pain without the need for a nasogastric tube being in position for the 48 hour period.  This means that patients can carry on with their usual activities and eat normally throughout the study period.  Images below from Medtronic Website check link. 

            

Pricing

For insured patients bills are settled by their insurers providing cover is adequate. It is adviseable to check first with your insurer.  For those without cover investigations can still be offered on a self pay basis.  To  take advantage of the excellent Self Pay packages available at Fawkham Manor and other BMI Hospitals.  Go to BMI Healthcare Website.

Gastrohealth Limited