Endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic medical procedure used to evaluate the interior surfaces of an organ by inserting a small scope in the body, usually through a natural body opening. Through the scope, one is able to see lesions, take small biopsies and retrieve foreign objects. Endoscopy is also employed in minimally invasive surgery.
Many endoscopic procedures are relatively painless and only associated with mild discomfort, though patients are sedated for most procedures. Complications are rare but may include perforation of the stomach or intestine with the endoscope or biopsy instrument. If this occurs, surgery is required to repair the injury.
Endoscopic equipment can be used to visualize and collect specimens from:
- The gastrointestinal tract:
- esophagus, stomach and duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
- colon (colonoscopy), the endoscope is used to examine the colon.
- sigmoid colon: (proctosigmoidoscopy)
- in an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), an endoscope is used to introduce radiographic contrast medium into the bile ducts so they can be visualized on x-ray.
- The respiratory tract
- The nose (rhinoscopy)
- The lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy)
- The urinary tract (cystoscopy)
- Normally closed body cavities (through a small incision):
- The abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy)
- The interior of a joint (arthroscopy)
- Organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy)