pH Monitoring is a diagnostic test that measures acidity over time in parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most commonly used to evaluate acid reflux in the esophagus. It helps clinicians connect symptoms to episodes of acid exposure. It is used in gastroenterology and GI surgery planning, especially around gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Esophageal Manometry is a test that measures pressure and muscle contractions inside the esophagus. It evaluates how well the esophagus moves swallowed material toward the stomach. It also assesses how the esophageal sphincters open and close during swallowing. It is commonly used in gastroenterology and foregut surgery workups for swallowing symptoms and reflux-related questions.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection is an advanced endoscopic technique used to remove abnormal tissue from the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most often used to treat selected early cancers and pre-cancerous lesions without open surgery. The goal is to remove a lesion in one piece while preserving the rest of the organ. It is commonly performed in the esophagus, stomach, and colon/rectum in specialized centers.
Mucosal Resection is a technique used to remove abnormal tissue from the inner lining (mucosa) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most commonly performed during endoscopy, where a camera and instruments pass through the mouth or rectum. It is used to diagnose and treat selected superficial (early) precancerous and cancerous lesions and certain large polyps. The removed tissue is sent to pathology to determine what it is and how completely it was removed.
Polypectomy is the removal of a polyp from the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A polyp is a visible growth that projects into the hollow (“luminal”) space of the gut. Polypectomy is most commonly performed during colonoscopy, but it can also be done in the upper GI tract. It is used for both diagnosis (tissue assessment) and treatment (removing potentially harmful lesions).
Biopsy means taking a small sample of tissue or cells from the body. The sample is examined under a microscope by a pathologist. In gastroenterology, Biopsy is commonly obtained during endoscopy or with image-guided needles. It helps connect symptoms and test results to a specific tissue-level diagnosis.
Endoscopic Ultrasound is a procedure that combines endoscopy and ultrasound imaging in a single exam. It uses a flexible scope with an ultrasound probe to see the digestive tract wall and nearby organs in detail. It is commonly used in gastroenterology to evaluate the pancreas, bile ducts, and GI (gastrointestinal) tract tumors. It can also guide needle sampling and certain minimally invasive therapies.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that combines endoscopy and X-ray imaging to evaluate the bile ducts and pancreatic duct. It is commonly used in hospitals and endoscopy units by gastroenterologists and GI surgical teams. ERCP can be diagnostic, but it is most often used to treat specific duct problems. It is a key tool in hepatobiliary and pancreatic care when duct drainage or therapy is needed.
Enteroscopy is an endoscopic technique used to examine the small intestine (and sometimes adjacent GI segments). It uses a flexible camera-equipped scope to visualize, diagnose, and sometimes treat problems inside the bowel. It is commonly used when standard upper endoscopy and colonoscopy cannot fully evaluate the suspected area. It is most often performed by gastroenterologists in endoscopy units, and sometimes in the operating room for complex cases.
Capsule Endoscopy is a diagnostic test that uses a swallowable camera capsule to take pictures of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most commonly used to visualize the small intestine, which is harder to reach with standard endoscopy. The capsule transmits images to a recorder worn outside the body as it moves with normal gut motility. Clinicians review the recorded video to look for bleeding, inflammation, or other mucosal abnormalities.