Gastrointestinal tract endoscopy

The largest use of endoscopic techniques is in the examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Upper intestinal endoscopy is the examination of the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum. Colonoscopy is the examination of the colon, large intestine, and in some cases the distal parts of the small intestine. Cholangiopancreatography is the examination of the biUary tree and pancreas. 

This type of modeling, as well as wide field FLIM [84-86] and endoscopy [72] have tremendous potential for clinical diagnosis. Although still at the preclinical stage, various groups have looked at the differences in fluorescence spectrum and decay profiles in breast cancer [87, 88], the gastrointestinal tract [89], and skin cancer [90, 91] (see also Chapter 4). 

Chutkan R, Toubia N Effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the gastrointestinal tract Diagnosis by wireless capsule endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 2004 14 67-85. 

As lewisite is a vesicant, emesis is not recommended in those species that can vomit (dogs, cats, swine, and ferrets). Dilution with milk or water is recommended. Activated charcoal is not recommended as severe irritation/vesication of the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract is likely to occur. Endoscopy can be performed very carefully to determine the extent of injury. Esophageal perforation and/or stricture formation may occur. 

Colitis was observed during endoscopy of the lower gastrointestinal tract in 21 patients (14). Some patients developed rectal bleeding, tenesmus, and increased frequency of stools, lasting 12 days. 

M. Panjehpour, B.F. Overholt, J.M. Haydek (2000). Light sources and delivery devices for photodynamic therapy in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America, 10, 513-532. 

If corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract is suspected, consult a gastroenterologist for possible endoscopy. 

Hainaux B, Agneessens E, Bertinotti R et al (2006) Accuracy of MDCT in predicting site of gastrointestinal tract perforation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 187 1179-1183 Kara AK, Leighton JA, Virender K et al (2005) Imaging of small bowel disease comparison of capsule endoscopy,... 

Endoscopy Procedures using a thin, flexible fiberoptic tube with a camera to project images of the gastrointestinal tract back to a monitor. 

Radiology as a discipline is one which is dominated by images. Nowhere is this truer than imaging of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which was the first area to experience the correlation of images produced by indirect radiological techniques with those produced by direct endoscopic methods. Knowledge of the macroscopic appearances as shown either by endoscopy or... 

Endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract not only facilitates education and training in gastroenterology through the visualisation of lesions in a full range of colours, but has also made the detection of early malignant lesions possible. This has opened the possibilities of treatment by endoscopy which is often curative and at low cost to society. 

---