Endoscopic Procedures

Endoscopy is used to diagnose and sometimes treat a variety of conditions in the GI tract and is often where doctors start when trying to find answers to concerning symptoms. We offer upper and lower endoscopy, as well as minimally invasive intranasal and capsule endoscopy.

What is an upper endoscopy?

In this procedure, an endoscope is inserted in the mouth to help find answers to such symptoms as abdominal pain, chest pain, reflux, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, swallowing problems, weight loss, failure to thrive in babies, and bleeding. An upper scope reaches the esophagus, stomach, and top of the small intestine. Other names for an upper endoscopy include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), gastroscopy, and esophagoscopy.

What is a lower endoscopy?

In this procedure, better known as colonoscopy, a scope inserted in the rectum takes thousands of pictures in succession to provide a thorough view of the rectum, colon, and end of the small intestine. Taking biopsies helps pediatric gastroenterologists to diagnose diseases and find the root cause of abdominal pain, blood in stool, general fatigue, or weight loss, among other symptoms. Along with taking biopsies, a lower endoscopy can be used to treat disease, including removing small growths, polyps, and other lesions. A sigmoidoscopy is another type of lower endoscopy, allowing a view of the first few inches of the colon.

What is transnasal endoscopy?

Transnasal endoscopy is a cutting-edge outpatient procedure that provides a simple, safe, and sedation-free alternative for evaluating the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine). We are the only children’s hospital in Northern California to offer this endoscopy option.

Transnasal endoscopy enables us to view your child’s upper GI tract and take a biopsy (tissue sample) to help diagnose disease, including inflammation in the esophagus such as eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux, and celiac disease. We are also able to assess symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Transnasal endoscopy empowers us to closely monitor your child’s disease and proactively adjust treatment to best care for your child. It is an easier alternative to upper endoscopy, which requires anesthesia. Because your child is awake, recovery is short and they can return to normal activities quickly.

In the clinic, a doctor numbs your child’s nose and throat, and then inserts an ultra-slim, flexible tube with a camera, made for small noses, into the upper GI tract. The procedure itself takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes. We ask that your child not eat or drink two to four hours prior to the appointment. Most children tolerate the procedure well. To make it more comfortable for your child, we offer entertainment in the form of virtual reality goggles and invite you to stay for emotional support.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

While this type of endoscopy cannot take biopsies to help doctors diagnose, it is an easy, less-invasive option for providing a detailed view of the small intestine, with the benefit of reaching parts of the small intestine that other types of endoscopy cannot reach. Doctors use capsule endoscopy to visually assess the small bowel for inflammation or disease, including Crohn’s disease, tumors, and bleeding. It’s often used as a bridge to advanced endoscopy procedures.

The capsule is the size of a large pill and contains a micro-camera that sends video clips and high-definition photos to a device worn on the child’s belt as it moves through the small intestine. It records for eight hours and can be expelled naturally. While the procedure is safe and painless, it does require a child to be able to swallow a large pill.