Alexandria Gastro Intestinal Specialists

An upper endoscopy, often referred to as endoscopy, EGD, or esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, is a procedure that allows a physician to directly examine the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the esophagus , the stomach, and the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine).  Read more...

A colonoscopy is an exam of the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, which is called the colon or large intestine (bowel). Colonoscopy is a safe procedure that provides information other tests may not be able to give. Patients who require colonoscopy often have questions and concerns about the procedure.  Read more...

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a specialized technique used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver.  Ducts are drainage routes; the drainage channels from the liver are called bile or biliary ducts.

During ERCP, your doctor will pass an endoscope through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that lets your doctor see inside your bowels. After your doctor sees the common opening to the ducts from the liver and pancreas, your doctor will pass a narrow plastic tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts.  Your doctor will inject a contrast material (dye) into the pancreatic or biliary ducts and will take X-rays.

PEG stands for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, a procedure in which a flexible feeding tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into the stomach. PEG allows nutrition, fluids and/or medications to be put directly into the stomach, bypassing the mouth and esophagus.  Read more...

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract called the colon or large intestine. It is performed by an endoscopist, who is a doctor or other health professional with special training in endoscopic procedures. There are several reasons that flexible sigmoidoscopy may be recommended, with one of the most common reasons being the need to screen for colon cancer in people older than 50 years. Read more....

A less commonly used alternative to upper endoscopy involves swallowing a capsule that contains a tiny camera. The patient swallows the capsule while lying on the right side, and then drinks sips of water every 30 seconds. The capsule transmits photographs of the lining of the esophagus and stomach to a recording device worn outside the body. A clinician then reviews the photographs to determine if there are any abnormalities. Capsule endoscopy is more expensive than traditional endoscopy, and it is not available at all centers.  Read more...

Coming soon...