Doctor standing near patient with an endoscopy tool

Endoscopy Services

Advanced services aiding in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

Taking a Look Inside

The field of endoscopy has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. A flexible tube with a lens at one end, an endoscope or "scope" for short, is inserted into the patient to allow doctors to observe the inside of the body without the need for a major surgery.

Besides the ‘traditional’ endoscopic procedures, advances in imaging technology have allowed GI specialists to detect and manage disorders throughout the digestive system. This web page reviews various endoscopic procedures performed at UTMB and provides instructions for patients undergoing the procedures.

How to get started at UTMB

Do you need to schedule a preventive colonoscopy? Have a gastrointestinal (GI) condition which requires endoscopy services?

To begin the process, start with your gastroenterologist or primary care physician to determine which procedure is needed. Once that is determined, a referral will be submitted to the endoscopy team and the scheduling department will contact you to schedule.

Already have a referral or have additional questions?

Call the endoscopy main scheduler line for services at all campuses:

Endoscopy Main Line:
(409) 772-4798After hours: (409) 772-2222
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  • Colonoscopy

    Overview:

    A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows your doctor to visualize and examine the inner lining of your entire colon (large intestine) and rectum. It's typically done to screen for or diagnose colon cancer, although it can also be used to investigate other digestive problems, such as:

    • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
    • Unexplained rectal bleeding
    • Severe abdominal pain
    • Chronic diarrhea

    The Procedure:

    During the colonoscopy, you will be asked to lie on an exam table. Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera on the end into your rectum to examine your colon for abnormalities and disease. A colonoscopy can show irritated and swollen tissue, ulcers, polyps, or tumors.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    There are a few steps in preparing for your exam so that you have a clean colon. This guide will help you get ready.

  • Upper Endoscopy

    Overview:

    An EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is a medical procedure used to examine the lining of your upper digestive tract. This includes your

    • Esophagus: The muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach
    • Stomach: The muscular sac where food is broken down
    • Duodenum: The first part of your small intestine

    The Procedure:

    During an EGD, a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope down your throat and into your digestive tract. The endoscope has a light and a tiny camera at the end, which allows the doctor to see the lining of your organs on a monitor. They can also use the endoscope to:

    • Take tissue samples for biopsy (if needed)
    • Remove small polyps or other abnormalities
    • Treat certain conditions, such as bleeding ulcers

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    For an upper endoscopy, you’ll usually have to follow a clear liquid diet after midnight then, stopping all liquid consumption 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time. No solid food the day of procedure. Every patient is different so your gastroenterologist may have more specific instructions for you, if so, please refer to those if given.

  • Upper Endoscopic Ultrasound

    Overview:

    Endoscopic ultrasound combines the two modalities of endoscopic visualization with high frequency ultrasound to enable imaging of the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and beyond into the organs and vessels in proximity.

    The Procedure:

    During an upper ultrasound, a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope down your food pipe and into your digestive tract. The endoscope has a light, tiny camera and ultrasound probe at the end, which allows the doctor to see the lining of your organs on a monitor. They can also use the endoscope to

    Reasons for an Upper Ultrasound:

    • Investigate abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant.
    • Check for gallstones, liver problems, or abnormalities in the pancreas.
    • Evaluate the size and position of your kidneys.
    • Monitor existing conditions like chronic liver disease or pancreatitis.
    • Guide biopsies or procedures on these organs.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    Refer to your physician for your specific instructions.

  • Lower Endoscopic Ultrasound

    Overview:

    Endoscopic ultrasound combines the two modalities of endoscopic visualization with high frequency ultrasound to enable imaging of the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and beyond into the organs and vessels in proximity.

    The Procedure:

    During the lower ultrasound, you will be asked to lie on an exam table. Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube with a light, camera, and ultrasound probe on the end into your rectum to examine your colon for abnormalities and disease.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    Many times, the preparation is the same for a colonoscopy, but each patient is different. Please refer to your physicians’ specific instructions.

  • Push Endoscopy/Enteroscopy

    Overview:

    A push endoscopy, also known as push enteroscopy, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to examine and treat the lining of the upper part of your small intestine. This area is typically more difficult to reach with other standard endoscopic techniques like an upper endoscopy.

    Reasons for a push endoscopy:

    • Diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the upper small intestine, such as:
      • Bleeding ulcers
      • Crohn's disease
      • Celiac disease
      • Tumors
      • Blockages
    • Taking tissue samples (biopsies) for further analysis
      • Removing small polyps or other abnormalities

    The Procedure:

    The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called an enteroscope into your mouth and slowly advance it through your esophagus, stomach, and into the upper part of your small intestine. The enteroscope has a tiny camera at the end that transmits images of the lining of your intestine to a monitor for the doctor to see. The doctor can use these images to look for any abnormalities and perform any necessary procedures. The entire procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    The push endoscopy preparation is much like that of upper endoscopy. The patient will follow a clear liquid diet after midnight before the procedure, then stop all clear liquid consumption 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time. Every patient is different, so your doctor may have specific instructions for you, if so, please refer to those if given.

  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

    Overview:

    A flexible sigmoidoscopy can help a doctor find the cause of unexplained symptoms, such as

    • bleeding from your anus
    • changes in your bowel activity such as diarrhea
    • pain in your abdomen
    • unexplained weight loss

    Doctors also use flexible sigmoidoscopy as a screening tool for colon polyps and colon and rectal cancer. Screening may find diseases at an early stage, when a doctor has a better chance of curing the disease.

    The Procedure:

    Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a trained medical professional uses a flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a sigmoidoscope or scope, to look inside your rectum and lower colon, also called the sigmoid colon and descending colon. Flexible sigmoidoscopy can show irritated or swollen tissue, ulcers, polyps, and cancer.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    The preparation for a flexible sigmoidoscopy varies by patient. Your provider will give you specific instructions on what preparation they would like you to follow. You’ll typically have to be on a clear liquid diet the day before the exam and take a laxative to cleanse your colon so the doctor can visualize the area. There may be more restrictions to your diet, so please refer to your doctor for your patient specific instructions.

  • ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)

    Overview:

    Doctors use ERCP to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts. Doctors also use ERCP to diagnose problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts if they expect to treat problems during the procedure.

    The Procedure:

    ERCP is a procedure that combines upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and x-rays to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    The ERCP preparation is much like that of upper endoscopy. The patient will follow a clear liquid diet, no solid food, after midnight before the procedure. Then on the day of the procedure you can drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before your arrival time of your procedure. Every patient is different, so your doctor may have specific instructions for you. Please refer to those if given.

  • Ileoscopy

    Overview:

    An ileoscopy is a medical procedure that allows your doctor to examine the lining of the lower part of your small intestine, called the ileum. The ileum is the last and longest section of your small intestine, where most of the nutrients from your food are absorbed before emptying into the large intestine.

    Reasons for the procedure:

    • Diagnosing the cause of bleeding in the small intestine
    • Investigating high output from an ileostomy (an opening created surgically in the small intestine to divert waste)
    • Detecting and monitoring Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect the entire digestive tract, including the ileum
    • Taking tissue samples (biopsies) for further analysis
    • Removing small polyps or other abnormalities

    The Procedure:

    The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called an ileoscope through your anus and advance it gently into your ileum. The ileoscope has a tiny camera and light at the tip that transmits images of the lining of your intestine to a monitor. Air might be inflated into your intestine through the ileoscope to provide a clearer view. This may cause some temporary discomfort or cramping. The doctor will carefully examine the images for any abnormalities, such as inflammation, ulcers, or bleeding. If necessary, they may use small instruments passed through the ileoscope to take tissue samples or remove small polyps. The entire procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    Every patient is different. Please refer to your doctors' specific instructions.

  • Video capsule endoscopy

    Overview:

    Video capsule endoscopy, also known as capsule endoscopy or wireless capsule endoscopy, is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that utilizes a tiny pill-sized camera to capture images of your entire gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), including areas difficult to reach with traditional endoscopes.

    Reasons for procedure:

    • Evaluating for a source of obscure GI bleeding
    • Investigating small bowel disorders like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and tumors
    • Evaluating suspected small bowel abnormalities like ulcers, strictures, and polyps

    The Procedure:

    The patient will swallow a capsule with water. The capsule is similar to a large pill in size. This capsule contains batteries, a light source, transmitter, and a tiny camera that will travel through your GI tract documenting with images. The images are transmitted to a receiver that the patient will wear around their waste. Once the capsule has passed through your entire system, the data is downloaded and evaluated by a physician. The capsule naturally passes in your stool, no retrieval is necessary.

    Preparing for the Procedure:

    The patient will likely need to follow a clear liquid diet for 24 hours before the procedure and will not be able to eat solid foods the day before the procedure. The patient will also need to take a laxative to cleanse your bowels so the camera can take quality images of the gi tract. Please refer to your physician’s specific instructions.

 Frequently Asked Questions

What prep will I have to take?

Every patient's situation and health needs are unique, and your doctor or healthcare provider will give you the most accurate and relevant instructions and preparation for your individual needs. If you have doubts or concerns on your prep, ask your doctor or healthcare provider for clarification.

Why can’t I eat solid food the day before my colonoscopy?

The physician must get a clear view of your colon as to not miss anything. If you eat, left over food may still be in your colon, clouding the physicians view making it harder for them to see. This may cause you to have to repeat the procedure within an earlier time frame then needed.

If I lose my instructions from my provider for my procedure, where can I get a new copy?

Call the endoscopy main line. We can mail, email, fax, and or MyChart the patient a new copy, or the patient may visit any of our Endoscopy units or GI clinics to pick up a physical copy.

Can I take a different prep than what my doctor prescribed to me by my doctor?

This will be decided upon by your doctor. You can contact the clinic you were seen in to ask your Gastroenterologist, or ask the RN on your pre-op call.

Our Locations

Endoscopy Main Line:
(409) 772-4798After hours: (409) 772-2222
Endoscopy, Angleton Danbury Hospital
Endoscopy, Clear Lake Hospital
Endoscopy, League City Campus
Endoscopy, UHC Galveston

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