Endoscopy Procedures Quiz

Endoscopy

• A medical procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera to visualize internal organs and tissues directly

Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract

• Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy: examines the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine)
• Enteroscopy: examines the small intestine
• Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy: examine the colon and sigmoid colon respectively

Laparoscopy

• A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses small incisions and a laparoscope to visualize the abdominal cavity

Respiratory System

• Rhinoscopy: examines the nose and nasal passages
• Bronchoscopy: examines the lower respiratory tract using a bronchoscope

Female Reproductive System

• Colposcopy: examines the cervix
• Hysteroscopy: examines the uterus
• Falloposcopy: examines the fallopian tubes

Other Endoscopic Procedures

• Cystoscopy: examines the urinary tract
• Otoscopy: examines the ear

Colonoscopy

• Performed by a gastroenterologist to examine the lining of the large bowel using a colonoscope
• Requires sedation and analgesia with a smooth muscle relaxant (buscopan)
• Takes approximately 30-40 minutes
• Patient lies on their left side or back during the procedure
• CO2 is pumped into the colon to allow distention and inflation for a better view

Procedure Route

• The colonoscope is inserted through the rectum and advanced through the sigmoid colon, descending colon, splenic flexure, transverse colon, hepatic flexure, ascending colon, cecum (tip of the colon), and finally the terminal ileum (small intestine)

Pre-Procedure Preparation

• Patients are required to follow a low-residue diet for 3 days and take a laxative (picolax) 1 day before the procedure

Results

• 50% of patients have a normal result
• 40% of patients have a polyp that is removed during the procedure
• 10% of patients are found to have cancer

Polyps

• Growth in the mucosa of the colon/rectum caused by excessive cell replication (mutations)
• Can be adenoma (benign tumor), hyperplastic (reversible increase in cell number), or metaplastic (replacement of one differentiated adult cell type with another) growth
• Can become neoplasms, either benign or malignant
• 1-10% of polyps turn malignant
• Commonly affect 15-20% of people, usually asymptomatic but can cause pain, changes in bowel habit, and bleeding

Polypectomy

• Removal of polyps using a cauterizing wire loop passed down the colonoscope tube
• Tissue is examined to look for cancerous cells
• Biopsies can be taken using serrated forceps to obtain a sample of tissue for examination

Colorectal Cancer

• Most cases (60%) occur in the sigmoid colon and rectum, with the rest occurring on the right-hand side
• Biopsies can be taken to examine for cancerous cells, and to culture bacteria or examine for parasites in a microscope