Upper GI endoscopy or an EGD
This is a special exam of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A long narrow, flexible tube called an endoscope is used. Upper GI endoscopy allows your doctor to look directly into the upper part of your GI tract which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Patients that have symptoms of pain in the stomach, history of ulcers, reflux esophagitis, or difficulty swallowing need to be evaluated for these problems and may require upper endoscopy.
Upper GI endoscopy helps with the diagnosis of ulcers, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), can remove growths (polyps), detect causes of bleeding or pain, and detect cancer. It may detect the presence of H. pylori, a type of bacteria that causes ulcers. It also can be used to remove foreign objects or growths, take biopsies, stop bleeding, and help to open narrowed areas (strictures).
Medication is given through a vein to make you feel relaxed and sleepy during the procedure and most of the time patients have little or no memory of the procedure. This procedure is very common and is done in an outpatient manner.
Lower GI endoscopy or colonoscopy
This is a special exam of your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A colonoscope is a slender, lighted tube that allows your doctor to examine your entire colon and rectum. Patients that have a personal or family history of colon polyps or cancer, any history of blood per rectum, chronic constipation or excessive diarrhea, chronic history of diverticulitis, anemia or unexplained weight loss need to be evaluated for these problems and may require colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy helps diagnose inflammation of the color (colitis), remove growths (polyps), take a sample of tissue (biopsy), and helps pinpoint causes of bleeding or pain. It also can help detect colon or rectal cancer.
Medication is given through a vein to make you feel relaxed and sleepy during the procedure and most of the time patients have little or no memory of the procedure. This procedure is very common and is done in an outpatient manner. It does require that you take a colonic prep in order to cleanse the colon the day prior to the procedure.
We gladly see patients needing and have expertise in:
- Mammography review and follow up.
- Breast biopsy including minimally invasive breast mammotome biopsy system performed in the office under ultrasound guidance.
Breast Biopsy
The removal of suspicious tissue for examination. It’s the only definitive way to tell if a breast abnormality is cancerous. More than 1.6 million American women undergo a breast biopsy each year – about 80% turn out to benign.
The Mammotome Breast Biopsy System
This procedure helps doctors accurately diagnose breast abnormalities discovered on mammograms or physical breast examinations. It is an alternative to open surgical biopsy, the most common biopsy method. An in-office mammotome breast biopsy allows women to return to normal activities immediately after the procedure, is performed in an outpatient setting including physician offices and is covered by most health insurance plans.
How it Works
Doctors use ultrasound to direct a probe into the suspicious area of the breast. The procedure leaves an incision so small (about the size of a match head) that no stitches are required. Women are able to resume normal activity immediately following procedure with only a small adhesive strip to covering incision site.