Some diseases can be prevented or cured. Others can be controlled or
improved if appropriate management steps are taken. In either case,
early detection and accurate diagnosis are crucial for achieving the
best outcomes.
At Lankenau Medical Center, patients have access to the most advanced
tools and techniques available to screen for and diagnose diseases of
the digestive tract, liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder,
including a wide range of specialized endoscopy procedures and
functional and motility tests.
Go to:
To schedule an appointment with a Lankenau
gastroenterologist, call 866.CALL.MLH or use the online
appointment request form.
Diagnostic Endoscopy
Diagnostic endoscopy is the use of an endoscope to examine inside the
digestive tract for a cause of symptoms or to screen for problems before
symptoms occur. Diagnostic endoscopy allows detection of abnormal cells
or growths (such as Barrett’s esophagus or polyps), cancer, ulcers,
stones or other blockages, inflammation, and bleeding. During endoscopy,
polyps can be removed and tissues can be collected for further testing.
Diagnostic endoscopy procedures include:
Upper endoscopy (EGD) is
examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the
small intestine) with an endoscope that has been inserted at the mouth.
The procedure is performed under sedation. Upper endoscopy is used to
evaluate for a cause of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, swallowing
problems, or bleeding in the upper digestive tract. It is an important
tool for identifying abnormal or precancerous cells, tumors,
inflammation, and ulcers. Learn
more and watch
a video.
Colonoscopy is examination of
the entire colon (large intestine) and, in some cases, the rectum and
part of the small intestine with an endoscope that has been inserted at
the rectum. The procedure is performed under sedation. Colonoscopy is an
important tool for colorectal
cancer screening. Doctors also perform colonoscopy to evaluate for
suspected cancer, inflammation (eg, inflammatory
bowel disease), bleeding, or blockage and to evaluate symptoms such
as chronic diarrhea. Learn more
and watch a
video.
Sigmoidoscopy is
examination of the rectum and lower segment of the colon with an
endoscope that has been inserted at the rectum. The procedure may be
done with or without sedation. Sigmoidoscopy helps doctors evaluate for
a cause of diarrhea, constipation, pain, or bleeding in the lower
digestive tract. Learn more
and watch a
video.
Capsule endoscopy uses
a tiny, capsule-sized video camera rather than an endoscope to examine
the inside of the small intestine (middle segment of the digestive
tract), which is out of reach with traditional upper endoscopy or
colonoscopy. The capsule “endoscope” is swallowed, travels through the
digestive tract, and is excreted in a bowel movement. While passing
through the small intestine, the capsule transmits video images to a
data recorder that is worn on a belt. Capsule endoscopy is most often
used to look for a source of small intestinal bleeding and to diagnose Crohn’s
disease, but it also helps detect tumors, polyps, inflammation, and
ulcers.
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