Gastroenterology

The Departments of Gastroenterology operating under the umbrella of Enez Health Medical Group comprise endoscopy units that are designed in such manner that patient comfort in endoscopic examinations and procedures is kept in the forefront at all times, while providing an ideal working environment for doctors and other healthcare personnel.

The procedures performed at our Departments of Gastroenterology include without limitation emergency hemostasis of gastrointestinal bleedings, sclerotherapy, variceal hemorrhage treatment, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, chronic pancreatitis treatment using the ERCP method, treatment of bile duct stones and strictures, removal of bile duct stones, removal of gastrointestinal polyps referred to as polypectomy, ulcer treatment, reflux treatment, treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and stent insertion to bile ducts and esophagus.

ENDOSCOPY

Endoscopy is a procedure carried out to directly image the insides of the stomach and other similar internal organs by means of  optical instrument for examination purposes.

COLONOSCOPY

Colonoscopy is a method to image to entire large intestine and those parts of the small intestine adjacent to the large intestine by means of a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the tip of the tube inserted into the rectum. Sigmoidoscopy is the name given to the procedure during which those parts of the large intestine close to the anus is examined. A purgative drug needs to be administered to clear the intestines prior to the procedure. Colonoscopy is the most reliable method in the diagnosis of colon (large intestine) cancer. Moreover, it helps to prevent cancer by providing the opportunity to detect and remove polyps and other similar precancerous lesions. Colonoscopy is advisable to every individual above the age of 50 to prevent colon cancer, while individuals with a family history of colon cancer are advised to get a colonoscopy done 10 years before the age of the youngest family member with colon cancer. The large majority of colon cancers develop on benign tumors, also called as polyps. If performed timely, colonoscopy is an effective means to detect and remove any polyps before the formation of cancer (Polypectomy). Thus, patients may escape both cancer and surgery. Individuals with polypectomy history are advised to get follow-up colonoscopies done every 1 to 3 years depending on the type of removed polyps. Colonoscopy is also used to diagnose and follow up noncancerous diseases of the colon such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Colonoscopy helps patients escape surgery by providing an efficient means to diagnose and treat colon bleedings.

WHAT IS ERCP?

ERCP is an endoscopic procedure used to diagnose and treat occlusive diseases of bile ducts and the pancreatic duct. ERCP is the abbreviation of “Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography”. The doctor inserts an endoscopic tube, called a “duodenoscope”, into the duodenum to image and diagnose any problems in the liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, and pancreas, and carry out a number of treatment procedures in one and the same session to solve the problem. ERCP is carried out by a team specialized in this field, comprising a gastroenterologist, a resident, a nurse, and an anesthesiologist. ERCP is mainly used to treat occlusion in bile ducts and the pancreatic duct. Patients with occluded bile ducts or obstructed pancreatic duct have in general symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, and fever. The procedure is also used for certain other disorders of the gall bladder, liver, and pancreas. Your doctor will decide whether you need to undergo ERCP according to your clinical symptoms and findings obtained from blood tests, ultrasonographic or tomographic examinations

WHAT IS MRCP?

MRCP is the abbreviation of “Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography” and is a procedure where the bile ducts, gall bladder, and pancreas are imaged with an MRI machine. The obtained image is the same as that of ERCP. MRCP is not an interventional procedure, and unlike ERCP, does therefore not bear any risks associated with anesthesia, pancreatitis, or puncture. MRCP is used for diagnostic purposes only, without any treatment function. Disorders diagnosed by ultrasonography, tomography, or MRCP are treated by means of ERCP.

Tags: Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Department, Gastroenterology Service, Gastroenterology in Turkey, Gastroenterology in Istanbul