An Endoscopy is a diagnostic tool that involves inserting an endoscope through a natural orifice to examine the interior of the organs.

The endoscope is a thin flexible tube which contains a light and a lens that allows visualization of body cavities. Depending on the orifice through which the endoscope is inserted, we find:

• Mouth to duodenum: upper endoscopy or diagnostic oral panendoscopy, which shows the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
• Anus-to-cecum: lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, which shows the rectum and sigmoid colon.

Endoscopy, besides being a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure, can also perform biopsies.

When possible, it will be performed under anesthetic sedation for patient comfort.

Related techniques

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  Gastroscopy
  It consist in the exploration of the upper digestive tract through an endoscope that is inserted through the mouth.
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  Pancolonoscopy
  Exploration of all lower gastrointestinal tube (anus, rectum, sigmoid, rest of colon) with an endoscope that is inserted through the anus.
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  Colonoscopy
  Exploration of all lower gastrointestinal tube (anus, rectum, sigmoid, rest of colon) with an endoscope that is inserted through the anus.

More information

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  Gastroscopy. Dra. Marina Ynfante