Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a method for visual examination of hollow organs and body cavities with optical instruments (endoscopes) equipped with a lighting device. If necessary, it may be combined with target biopsy and further morphological investigation of the sampled material, and with X-ray or ultrasound investigations.
The age of endoscopy as a science is over 200 years. Over this long period, endoscopic equipment has been ceaselessly improving and upgrading owing to implementation of new technical solutions and endoscopic methods into the medical practice which resulted in significant expansion of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in almost all fields of medicine: gastroenterology, pulmonology, urology.
Informative value, safety and simplicity of endoscopic methods allows for their implementation outpatiently.
Endoscopic gastro-colonoscopy is indicated in the following cases:
- For early diagnostics of premalignancy and tumors of various localization (esophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon)
- For assessment of therapy efficacy in cases of esophagitis, gastroduodenitis, colitis, erosive and ulcerative lesions.
- For therapeutic measures (polypectomy, local treatment of ulcerative defects, sclerotherapy, removal of foreign objects, stenting of esophagus and so on).
- In case of suspected gastrointestinal hemorrhage.