Endoscopy
Endoscopy – procedure, a method of investigation of internal organs with the help of instruments – endoscopes. The term “endoscopy” comes from two Greek words (endon – inside and skopeo – look, explore). This method is widely used in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in surgery, gastroenterology, pulmonology, urology, gynecology and other areas of medicine.
At endoscopy, endoscopes are introduced into the cavity through the natural ways, for example: in the stomach – through the mouth and esophagus, the bronchi and lungs – through the larynx into the bladder – through the urethra, as well as by puncture or a surgical approach (laparoscopy, etc.)
Endoscopy is usually well tolerated and not accompanied by complications. Some unpleasant sensations that occur sometimes after endoscopy, did not require medical effects.
Endoscopes – a flexible plastic or metal tube with an illumination and optical system. In the modern endoscope used fiber optics, allowing to obtain a true, undistorted image of the inner surface of the body. Endoscopes, also make it possible to conduct therapeutic manipulation: taking material for histological examination (biopsy), removal of foreign body or polyp (polypectomy), using special devices you can check the patency of the body flows into the duct (eg, common bile duct with duodenoscopy – study duodenum), cauterize ulcers, stop the bleeding from small vessels, etc. For this purpose in the modern endoscope is also used laser beams.
Endoscopy procedure may be several types, depending on the organ under examination, for example:
- Bronchoscopy – examination of the bronchi
- Gastroscopy – examination of the stomach
- Hysteroscopy – a procedure that allows a physician to look through the vagina and neck of the uterus (cervix) to inspect the cavity of the uterus.
- Colonoscopy – examination of the colon mucosal
- Colposcopy – entrance to the vagina and vaginal walls
- Laparoscopy – examine the abdominal and pelvic organs
- Otoscopy – examination of the tympanic membrane and other parts of the outer ear with an otoscope
- Sigmoidoscopy-rectum and distal sigmoid colon
- Ureteroscopy – ureter
- Cystoscopy – procedure that is used to look at the bladder
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy – examination of the esophagus, the stomach and duodenum
- Thoracoscopy – chest cavity
- Cardioscopy- cavities (chambers) of the heart
- Angioscopy – visualization of a blood vessel lumen
- Arthroscopy – examination of the inside of a joint, such as the knee
- Ventriculoscopy- endoscopic examination of the cerebral ventricles