CT scans are quick, painless, noninvasive and does not require extensive preparations; in contrast, endoscopy is invasive (the flexible instrument is inserted through the mouth) and usually requires a person to modify their diet for a short time period while following instructions from your doctor.
Barium Swallow and Meal
This involves a barium x-rays examination which looks at the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
Alternative tests to upper GI endoscopy include a barium x-ray and ultrasound (sonogram) to study the organs in the upper abdomen. Study of the stools, blood and stomach juice can provide indirect information about a gastrointestinal condition.
A CT scan of the abdomen may be performed to assess the abdomen and its organs for tumors and other lesions, injuries, intra-abdominal bleeding, infections, unexplained abdominal pain, obstructions, or other conditions, particularly when another type of examination, such as X-rays or physical examination, is not ...
Examples of conditions that we would not diagnose on CT scan or ultrasound include viral infections ('the stomach flu'), inflammation or ulcers in the stomach lining, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis), irritable bowel syndrome or maldigestion, pelvic floor dysfunction, strains ...
In addition to gastric malignancies, CT can also help detect inflammatory conditions of the stomach, including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
An upper endoscopy provides better detail than a CT scan or an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, which uses X-rays. However, there are some risks to consider. These include: If you had a biopsy as part of your procedure, you may experience bleeding at the site.
When a patient is being prepared for these examinations, he receives all the information about possible complications and signs a consent form. If a patient refuses the examination, it is not performed. You must not eat at least 6 hours before your procedure.
This type of surgery is also sometimes called “neuroendoscopy,” “expanded endonasal approaches,” or “minimally invasive brain surgery.” Endoscopic surgery is minimally invasive and typically does not require any incisions. This approach can be used to avoid traditional approaches that require an open craniotomy.
Why Are Endoscopies Needed? Endoscopies enable doctors to view internal organs and the digestive tract without having to go through major surgery. The procedure is minimally invasive and mostly performed in an outpatient setting.
Endoscopies are a minimally invasive procedure and are typically recommended to find the cause of digestive issues and symptoms, and in some cases to treat problems including: Chronic heartburn or acid reflux. Screen for colorectal cancer or cancers of the digestive tract. Biopsy suspicious growths or tissue.
There are several reasons you may need an endoscopy. Because an endoscopy allows your doctor to get a closer look at the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and the top of your small intestine, endoscopies are also used as an early detection method for certain types of cancers or other diseases.
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure wherein the inside of the colon (large bowel) is examined for signs of bowel cancer or illness. It is performed using a flexible tube with a camera and light known as a colonoscope, which is inserted into the anus and guided through the colon.
If you are not having a general anaesthetic, you will be given a local anaesthetic where the endoscope will be inserted to numb the area and make the procedure easier. You should not experience any pain during the endoscopy, but it may be quite uncomfortable.
Although it does not occur frequently, endoscopies can be performed with no sedation. This is sometimes necessary for extremely high-risk patients and some pregnant patients. A topical anesthetic is typically applied to the back of the throat to make it easier for you to tolerate the endoscope.
An endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Rare complications include: Bleeding. Your risk of bleeding complications after an endoscopy is increased if the procedure involves removing a piece of tissue for testing (biopsy) or treating a digestive system problem.
“However, the discomfort related to gagging during an endoscopic procedure can be avoided, particularly by numbing the back of the throat and using sedatives,” said Dr. Perino. “As long as you are adequately sedated, you will not gag.”
Concerns about CT scans include the risks from exposure to ionizing radiation and possible reactions to the intravenous contrast agent, or dye, which may be used to improve visualization. The exposure to ionizing radiation may cause a small increase in a person's lifetime risk of developing cancer.
A traditional colonoscopy is the most widely known colorectal cancer screening procedure, but many patients are choosing a non-invasive CT (computerized tomography) Colonography instead. A CT Colonography doesn't require sedation and is just as accurate at detecting most precancerous polyps.
A CT scan can give your doctors detailed images of your brain. That can help them identify tumors, bleeding, blood clots, infection, fractures, and many other problems. You may need a CT scan if you are having unexplained dizziness or headaches.
The most common ulcer symptom is a dull or burning pain in your belly between your breastbone and your belly button (navel). This pain often occurs around meal times and may wake you up at night. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
In five of the 19 abnormal cases (26%), the diagnosis with CT was gastritis. The two major patterns of severe H pylori infection identified were (a) circumferential antral wall thickening and (b) thickening of the posterior gastric wall along the greater curvature, with or without evidence of ulceration.
Peptic ulcers are usually chronic and may come and go over a period of many years, even without treatment.
Most patients are sensitive to the camera passing down the throat, so anaesthetic throat spray and a light sedative injection can make examination much more comfortable.