Digestive (GI) Services
GI Tests and Procedures
The gastroenterology team at Beaufort Memorial Hospital can perform a variety of digestive system tests and procedures.
Select a procedure from the list below to learn more. To schedule, contact one of our gastroenterologists.
- Upper endoscopy.
- Capsule endoscopy.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
- Endoscopic ultrasound.
- Enteroscopy.
- Esophageal manometry.
- Esophageal stenting.
- Colonoscopy.
- Sigmoidoscopy.
- Wireless pH.
Upper endoscopy
This test lets a doctor view the lining of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and the duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine).
The test is performed using an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a light and tiny camera on the end. The endoscope is passed through the mouth and down the esophagus.
Upper endoscopy can be done for a variety of reasons. It may help a doctor find the cause of persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing or bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. It can also help detect inflammation, ulcers and tumors.
In addition, doctors can pass instruments through the endoscope and perform biopsies, remove polyps or treat bleeding.
For this test, you'll swallow a pill-sized video camera that takes pictures of the small intestine as it passes through the body. The pictures are sent to a small recording device worn on the outside of the body.
Capsule endoscopy allows doctors to view the small intestine, which can't be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. The test may be done to search for the cause of bleeding or to help detect polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers or tumors of the small intestine.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized technique that is used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver. During ERCP, a doctor will pass an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on it) through the mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
After viewing the common opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas, the doctor will pass a narrow plastic tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts. He or she will then inject a contrast material (dye) into the pancreatic or biliary ducts and take x-rays.
This test allows a doctor to examine the lining and the walls of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The upper tract includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine); the lower tract includes the colon and rectum.
Endoscopic ultrasound is also used to study internal organs that lie next to the gastrointestinal tract, such as the gallbladder and pancreas.
During the test, a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is passed through the mouth or anus into the area to be examined. The doctor then will use ultrasound to produce sound waves that create visual images of the digestive tract.
Enteroscopy includes several types of procedures that allow a doctor to look further into the small bowel (which is up to 25 feet long) than other tests. The doctor may use a longer conventional endoscope, a double-balloon endoscope or a wireless capsule endoscope.
Enteroscopy is typically used to find the source of intestinal bleeding, but can also be used to find lesions and determine the cause of nutritional malabsorption.
An extended version of the conventional endoscope (called a push endoscope) may be used to study the upper part of the small intestine (which is about 40 inches long). Another similar—but longer—instrument makes use of the normal digestive contractions of the small intestine to move the instrument further (up to 150 inches) into the small bowel. This procedure takes more time than the push method, and still may not allow the doctor to see the entire small intestine.
This test measures the pressure and pattern of muscle contractions in the esophagus. The test may be used to help diagnose the cause of problems such as heartburn and trouble swallowing.
During esophageal manometry, a thin, flexible, lubricated tube is passed through the nose and into the stomach. The tube is connected to a computer, which records the pressures in different parts of the esophagus as the tube is slowly pulled out.
When the esophagus is obstructed, narrowed or compressed because of cancer or another condition, swallowing may become difficult. Stents can be used to help hold the esophagus open or seal up tears or leaks.
This test uses a flexible, lighted instrument to examine the rectum and the entire colon. If a polyp or any other abnormal growth is found, the doctor can remove it so it can be checked for cancer cells.
According to the National Cancer Institute, colonoscopy is the most sensitive colorectal cancer screening test currently available. People are usually sedated for a colonoscopy, and the colon must be cleansed with an enema before the test.
During this test, a doctor uses a flexible, lighted instrument to examine the inner walls of the rectum and lower colon. The colon is cleansed before the test. This test only examines the lower part of the colon. If an unusual growth is found, a colonoscopy may be recommended to examine the entire colon.
This test checks pH levels in the esophagus to help diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). During the test, a capsule placed in the esophagus transmits pH readings to a device worn on the outside of the body.
You'll be able to go about your usual activities while the test is done, but will be asked to keep track of what you eat, when you sleep and when symptoms occur. This information will be analyzed along with the results of the pH test.
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