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Gaestroenterology is the medical specialty that deals with all the diseases of the digestive system, which is comprised by:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Liver
- Small Intestine (duodenum, Intestino delgado (duodeno, jejunum, íleon)
- Colon (Large Intestine)
- Rectum
In order to treat the digestive system diseases, several diagnosical tests are used:
Endoscopy
A diagnostic and therapeutic technique, which consists in the introduction of an endoscope through a natural orifice or a quirurgical incision to visualize an organ.
Colonoscopy
The Colonoscopy is an exploration that allows a direct visualization of all the large intestine, and also, if it is necessary, the final part of the small intestine. It also allows the extraction of biopsies.
Is the best study to detect Colon Cancer. At the same time can detect polyps that must be removed for its study (Endoscopic polypectomy). Finding and removing Colon polyps has proven being highly effective in preventing Colon Cancer.
In low digestive bleeding, it allows detect its cause and often give it a treatment. Identifies diverticula, angiodysplasia, tumors, rectal fissures and hemorroids with active bleeding. Many of these injuries can be treated by injecting of vasoconstrictive substances, application of clips, argon plasma or thermal therapy.
It is used as a dioagnosis of inflamatory bowel disease, which includes he CUCI and Crohn Disease. In chronic diarrhea, it allows the taking of biopses for the search of microscopic colitis.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
The Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is a study that is done with a special flexible endoscope that has an unltrasound transducer at its tip. Endoscopic Ultrasound provides hightly detailed images of the walls of the digestive tract and surrounding organs. So the main use of endoscopic ultrasound is to define the depth of a tumor in the esophagus, stomach, rectum, pancreas or other organs. It also allows you to see if there are nodes or if it invades veins or arteries. Furthermore, Endoscopic Ultrasound might be used to diagnose benign disease of the pancreas, the bile duct and the gallbladder when other tests are in doubt. It is also possible to take biopsies using a very thin niddle out from the injuries found in order to reach a definitive diagnostic.
In addition to make a diagnostic out of images from digestive diseases, the gastroenterologist can provide treatment to them; for example:
- Stop a bleeding ulcer or a peptic esophageal varice
- Remove stones obstructing the bile duct iliar
- Resection of polyps and early tumors
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