Diagnosis and investigation
An endoscopy can be used to confirm a diagnosis when other diagnostic tools, such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, are thought to be unsuitable. An MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of the body.
An endoscopy can also be used to investigate a known condition in order to measure the extent of any problems that it may have caused. This can help your doctor or specialist decide the most suitable course of treatment for you.
Some conditions that an endoscopy can help diagnose or investigate include:
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- incontinence
- breathing disorders
- internal bleeding
- stomach ulcers
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- chronic diarrhoea
Sometimes, an endoscopy is used in conjunction with ultrasound (where high-frequency sound waves are used to create an image of part of the inside of the body). An ultrasound probe is attached to the endoscope to allow your doctor to capture images of organs that are otherwise difficult to reach, such as the pancreas.
Biopsies and cancer
Endoscopies can be used to help diagnose and treat cancer. During the procedure, an endoscope is used to obtain small tissue samples, which can be tested for the presence of cancerous cells. This is known as a biopsy.
Endoscopies are particularly useful for carrying out biopsies in parts of the body that would otherwise require major surgery, such as the colon (large intestine) or the lungs.
Surgical procedures
Modified endoscopes that have instruments, such as cutting tools, attached to them can be used to carry out some surgical procedures. For example, they may be used to:
- remove the gallbladder
- tie and seal the fallopian tubes (a technique that is carried out when a woman wishes to be sterilised)
- remove small tumours or other foreign objects from the lungs or digestive system, which is made up of the gullet (oesophagus), stomach, small intestine (duodenum) and large intestine (colon).
Laparoscopies
A type of endoscope called a laparoscope is used by surgeons as a visual aid when they are carrying out keyhole surgery (also known as laparoscopic surgery).
The benefit of using a laparoscope during keyhole surgery is that the surgeon only has to make a small incision (cut) in the body. This type of surgery can be used for a number of different procedures, such as an appendectomy (the removal of the appendix) or a hysterectomy (the removal of the womb).
In a laparoscopy, only a small incision is made, which means that the recovery time from keyhole surgery tends to be much quicker than other forms of surgery.
See the Health A-Z topic about laparoscopy for more information.
