Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio - Advanced Endoscopy
Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio - Advanced Endoscopy

Advanced Endoscopy Services

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We Are Committed To Providing Comprehensive Care

Offering San Antonio advanced endoscopy procedures to improve digestive health.

An endoscope is the primary tool that gastroenterologists use to diagnose and treat various digestive health conditions. The endoscope — a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end — provides high-quality images of your throat, esophagus, stomach, rectum and colon. To view your small intestine, we use a special wireless capsule camera

 

 

I had no appointment and asked if I could be seen by any of the doctors. Dr. Dwivedi agreed to see me and I was so grateful and lucky. He is sooo nice. He ordered an endoscopy/colonoscopy within 5 days.

Elise S.

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An advanced endoscopy procedures can improve digestive health.

Outstanding endoscopic skill defines our board-certified gastroenterologists — and your safety is our primary concern.

Each of our physicians has received specialized training in endoscopic procedures, and as a practice, we perform over 27,000 endoscopies every year. By coming to GCSA, you’re placing your health in the hands of experts. We’ll always talk you through each procedure and answer any questions you have. Never be afraid to approach us with a concern — we’re here to help and provide a comfortable environment.

What is endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure to examine the digestive tract using an endoscope.

What is an endoscope?

An endoscope is the primary tool that gastroenterologists use to diagnose and treat various digestive health conditions. The endoscope — a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end — provides high-quality images of your throat, esophagus, stomach, rectum, and colon. To view your small intestine, we use a special wireless capsule camera

Full-spectrum endoscopy capabilities mean improved precision and better treatment outcomes.

For most of these procedures, you’ll be comfortably sedated. And while there are many specialized versions of the endoscopic procedures listed here, this will give you a good overview of GCSA’s capabilities.

Colonoscopy
Considered the gold standard of colorectal cancer detection, colonoscopies allow us to take a detailed look at your rectum and entire large intestine (colon). Because all colorectal cancer begins as precancerous polyps, removing these polyps during a colonoscopy can completely prevent this deadly disease. By age 50, everyone should have a screening colonoscopy. Learn more about how a colonoscopy can save your life.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Think of this as a mini-colonoscopy. A flexible sigmoidoscopy only inspects the rectum and lower portion of the colon. Generally, for colorectal cancer screening, we recommend a full colonoscopy to make sure the entire colon is free of polyps. However, flexible sigmoidoscopies are convenient and useful for diagnosing conditions localized in the rectum or lower colon.

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
This is essentially a camera inside a pill capsule. You’ll cleanse your bowels the night before and swallow the pill capsule at your doctor’s office. You’ll wear a data recorder around your waist, to which the capsule will transmit 50,000 to 60,000 images. Wireless capsule endoscopies help us view the inside of the small intestine, which is otherwise difficult to observe. You’ll pass the capsule a couple of days later, but you probably won’t even notice.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
Certain conditions, including cancer, will require us to remove sections of your digestive tract. An EMR is how we do it. We’ll insert the endoscope through either your mouth or anus (depending on the location of your condition), stage the disease, and then send the removed material to a lab for examination. With EMR, we can treat the following conditions without invasive surgery:

  • Large colonic polyps
  • Esophageal or gastric dysplasia
  • Early esophageal or gastric cancer
  • Carcinoids/submucosal tumors

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP)
Using a type of endoscope called a duodenoscope, an ERCP allows your doctor to observe the tubes that drain fluid out of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Once your physician reaches the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), he will locate the target tube and inject a contrast dye into its opening. This dye will be visible through X-ray, and it can reveal any abnormalities involving these three organs. Here are some of the procedures we can perform and conditions we can help with ERCP:

  • Large and/or difficult stones
  • Failed and/or difficult duct cannulation
  • SpyGlass choledochoscopy
  • Mechanical or electrohydraulic lithotripsy
  • Endoscopic ampullectomy

Sphincter of Oddi Manometry
The sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the flow of digestive juices from your pancreas and liver into your small intestine. During your ERCP, we can insert a special catheter into the bile duct that measures the pressure of the sphincter of Oddi. Abnormal measurements may indicate disease, and the type of disease will determine your next step.

Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS)
In addition to observing your upper or lower digestive tract with a camera, EUS allows us to view adjacent organs as well. By emitting and recapturing sound waves with the tip of the endoscope, we can create visual images that help us evaluate known abnormalities (such as a lump) and discover unknown causes of your symptoms.

  • Staging of esophageal, gastric and rectal cancers
  • Sampling of lymph nodes, liver, pancreatic cystic and solid neoplasms, and submucosal tumors
  • Celiac block or neurolysis
  • Pseudocyst drainage
  • Fiducial implantation

To schedule an appointment or learn more about how Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio specializes in advanced endoscopy in the San Antonio communities of Medical Center, Stone Oak, Northeast, Westover Hills, Boerne or Bulverde, call 210.614.1234 today. You can also request an appointment online here.

 

Advanced Endoscopy testimonials

“Dr. Singson and her staff are the best. Very professional and Dr. Singson has a great bedside manner. My endoscopy was effortless on my part. Can’t recommend her enough.”  – Diane

“Dr. Singson and the staff are always polite and helpful. Recently I had an endoscopy I am always nervous about any procedure small or large. She was quick and easy. This would’ve been my second time going through this. The first time was a colonoscopy, and it was also not so bad. Dr. Singson is very knowledgeable and has helped me to great lengths. I would definitely recommend her to family and friends.” – Lekisha

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