Endoscopy

While most endoscopies look at the lining of the GI tract, third space endoscopies allow doctors to access the space found between the inner lining and the muscle layer of the GI tract. There, the doctors can remove tumors and lesions, release contracted muscles, and more. Third space endoscopies are used for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions, and are considered a less invasive substitute for surgery.

A capsule endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which you swallow a capsule that contains a tiny camera, and wear a belt with an antenna that picks up the signal from the camera. The camera takes a photo every few seconds as it moves through the small intestine. The photos are stitched together into a movie that the gastroenterologist views. Capsule endoscopy can help diagnose 

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Celiac disease
• Tumors
• Polyps
• Ulcers
• Other causes of bleeding in the small intestine

During an endoscopic ultrasound, your doctor guides an endoscope fitted with an ultrasound probe through your mouth and down your digestive tract. It captures high-quality images of your esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and surrounding tissue. During an EUS, your doctor can also take biopsies. EUS helps diagnose chronic pancreatitis, cysts, cancer, and other pancreatic disorders.

ERCP combines endoscopy with a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy. During an ERCP, your doctor injects dye into your pancreatic and bile ducts, so that the outlines of those ducts are visible on a monitor. ERCP allows doctors to treat stones and blockages and diagnose cancers.

Double balloon enteroscopy refers to an endoscopic procedure that examines and treats conditions of the small intestine, which is difficult to access through a standard endoscopy or colonoscopy. To examine the small intestine, two balloons attached to the scope are inflated and deflated to help the scope inch its way through the small intestine to the desired location. Duke Health is the only provider to offer double balloon enteroscopy in our region.

A colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that examines the lining of the rectum and colon. Duke uses the latest state of the art high-definition scopes equipped with imaging to improve detection and removal of colon polyps to prevent the development of cancer. Our doctors exceed national quality metrics for polyp detection and are involved in research using AI (artificial intelligence) to improve early detection of cancers and polyps.