Gastroenterology is the subspecialty of internal medicine concerned with the evaluation and treatment of conditions of gastrointestinal tract and related organs: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines (colon and rectum) and the anus; as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
At Eureka Medical Clinic evaluation and treatment of problems in the gastrointestinal tract are provided by Dr. Heskith Vanterpool (gastroenterologist). Considerably experienced in gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Procedures performed in the clinic include:
- Upper GI Endoscopy (gastroscopy, or esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD)
Under sedation and topical anesthesia to the back of the throat (pharynx) a flexible instrument called a gastroscope, with a video-camera on its tip, is passed via the mouth through the esophagus and stomach, as far as the upper small intestines (duodenum).A clear view of the inside of these organs is obtained as well as samples of tissue (biopsy), from areas of interest such as ulcers or tumors, if necessary for further examination in the laboratory. (See preparation for Upper GI endoscopy).
- Esophageal Dilatation
Sometimes strictures or narrowing of the esophagus may cause difficulty to swallow. It may be possible to dilate (open up) the stricture with a balloon that is inserted via the gastroscope.
- Foreign Body Removal
Foreign bodies (fish bones, other bones, coins, batteries, dentures) sometimes get stuck in the esophagus. And at other times the culprit may be impacted piece of meat . During UGI Endoscopy at Eureka Medical Clinic these foreign bodies can usually be removed from the esophagus/stomach.
- Colonoscopy
For the evaluation of the large intestines a flexible instrument (colonoscope), similar to the gastroscope, (but longer), is inserted via the anus to the cecum, after bowel preparation. By this means the gastroenterologist/ surgeon is able to inspect the insides of the colon and sometimes the lower end of the small intestines as well. Colon polyps and colon cancers can be detected this way. Colon polyps have a strong tendency to become cancerous over the course of 2-5 years. During the same colonoscopy examination the removal of any detected polyps is possible (polypectomy), thus reducing the risk of developing colon cancer. In fact, some large colon polyps may already have cancerous changes in them. It is therefore possible to cure some early colon cancers by this polypectomy procedure.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
This procedure is similar to colonoscopy, except that it examines only the left side of the colon and there is usually no need for sedation.
- Screening for Colon Cancer
Both men and women can develop colon polyps and cancer. While deaths from this disease may be seen in young people, it is most common over the age of 50. It is now recommended by most medical experts, including the American Cancer Society that all persons (male and female) begin a regular program of screening for colon polyps and cancer, starting around the age of 50, and repeated every 5-10 years. Colonoscopy is the best method of bowel examination.
- Hemorrhoid ligation (Rubberband technique)
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
- Feeding tube placement and replacement.