The Endoscopy Center at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital offers six brand new suites. Each year, our doctors perform thousands of endoscopic procedures.
An endoscope is a small, flexible tube fitted with a light and a tiny camera lens to view the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to photograph inside the body. Colonoscopes and sigmoidoscopes are types of endoscopes. See the information below about specific endoscopic procedures.
Colonoscopy Colonoscopy allows the physician to view the entire length of the large intestine. It involves inserting a colonoscope through the rectum into the colon. The colonoscope allows the physician to see the lining of the colon, remove tissue for further examination and possibly treat problems discovered during the procedure.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) This procedure combines X-ray imaging and the use of an endoscope to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas.
The endoscope is carefully guided through the mouth and esophagus, into the stomach and duodenum. Dye is injected through a tube in the scope, allowing the internal organs to be more clearly visible on an X-ray.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (also called EGD or upper endoscopy) During an EGD, the physician examines the inside of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. An endoscope is guided into the mouth and throat, then into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
If needed, the physician may insert instruments through the scope to remove small tissue samples for biopsy.
Capsule endoscopy Inova Fair Oaks Hospital also offers capsule endoscopy, which allows the physician to examine the entire small intestine. Patients are given a vitamin-sized capsule to swallow. The capsule is actually a tiny camera and light that moves through the intestine and transmits images to a data recorder worn at the patient's waist. The capsule is disposable and passes naturally with a bowel movement.
Capsule endoscopy is not a substitute for regular endoscopy, but may be used when additional diagnostic information is needed.