Tests for gastrointestinal diseases

Click on the links below to learn about some of the tests

involved in diagnosing gastrointestinal conditions.
Barium enema: lower bowel examination
Barium enema is an X-ray test that allows your
doctor to examine the lower part of your bowel.

Barium swallow and barium meal tests
Both a barium swallow and a barium meal test
involve a series of X-rays being taken of your upper
digestive tract.

Cholangiography
Cholangiography is an examination that uses X-rays
and contrast medium (dye) to view your bile ducts.

Cholecystography
Cholecystography is a procedure that helps to diagnose gallstones using X-rays and contrast
medium to show up the gallbladder and bile duct.

Coeliac disease: tests
Find out about the tests used to diagnose coeliac disease.

Colonoscopy: examination of the colon
A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon (large bowel), using a colonoscope a long, thin,
flexible tube containing a camera and a light.

CT scans (CAT scans)
CT (computed tomography) scans are a special type of X-ray that can give detailed and 3-
dimensional images of the body's internal structures.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
ERCP is an investigation used to view the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct.

Endoscopy
In an endoscopy, a doctor looks down a thin lighted tube inserted into the body to see the internal
structures.

Faecal occult blood test
Faecal occult blood test is a chemical test that can detect tiny traces of blood in the stool that may
indicate the presence of disease.

Gallstones: diagnosing with ultrasound
Ultrasound is the most common technique used to confirm the presence of gallstones.

Gallstones: diagnosis
Several tests may be used in the diagnosis of gallstones, including blood tests, ultrasound and
cholangiography.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux: tests and investigations
Read about some of the tests used to diagnose and assess gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Gastroscopy: examination of the upper digestive tract
Gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the stomach and duodenum) using a
long, thin, flexible tube with a camera.

Helicobacter pylori test: simple test for stomach germ
Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach can be diagnosed using several different tests, including
a breath test.

Hepatitis C: liver biopsy / fibroscan
Find out what`s involved when you have a liver biopsy or a fibroscan to assess the degree of liver
fibrosis.

Indigestion
Indigestion is a term used to cover several medical conditions.

Liver biopsy
Find out what is involved when you have a liver biopsy, in which a small piece of liver tissue is
removed to help doctors detect liver abnormalities.

Liver function testing
Find out about the substances tested in liver function tests and how they can help determine the
health of your liver.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
MRCP is a technique for viewing the bile ducts, the pancreatic duct and the gallbladder using MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging).

Oesophageal manometry
Oesophageal manometry is a diagnostic test also known as an oesophageal function or
oesophageal motility study.

Oesophageal pH monitoring
Oesophageal pH monitoring uses a small electrode to measure and record the acidity of your
oesophagus (gullet).

PCR status and Hepatitis C transmission
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests help detect the presence of hepatitis C virus in the body and
a person's potential to transmit HCV to others.




Common Procedures
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a diagnostic test used to detect abnormalities, such as polyps, ulcers or cancerous
changes, in the large intestine. A few days prior to the test, the patient is asked to eat a clear
liquid diet, including things such as ginger ale, plain tea and coffee, gelatin, ginger ale and water.
The night before the procedure, the patient is given a bowel prep to empty the contents of the large
intestine. On the day of the test, the patient is given sedating medication and monitored for
changes in heart rhythm and vital signs. Pain medication is also given. A flexible, lighted scope is
inserted into the rectum, and advanced the length of the colon. If anything abnormal is seen, a
biopsy may be taken. Polyps may be removed if found. After the test is complete, and the patient is
awake from the sedating medication, he may return home.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic test used to detect abnormalities, such as polyps, ulcers or
cancerous changes, in the rectum and sigmoid colon of the large intestine. This test may be
performed to find the cause of diarrhea, constipation or abdominal pain. A few days prior to the
test, the patient is asked to eat a clear liquid diet, including things such as ginger ale, plain tea and
coffee, gelatin, ginger ale and water. The night before the procedure, the patient is given a bowel
prep to empty the contents of the large intestine. On the day of the test, the patient is given
sedating medication and monitored for changes in heart rhythm and vital signs. Pain medication is
also given. A flexible, lighted scope is inserted into the rectum, and advanced the length of the
sigmoid colon. If anything abnormal is seen, a biopsy may be taken. Polyps may be removed if
found. After the test is complete, and the patient is awake from the sedating medication, he may
return home.

Upper GI Endoscopy
Prior to this test, the patient will have received directions from his physician not to have anything to
eat or drink for eight to twelve hours. This test may be done due to GERD symptoms or Barrett's
esophagus. Once at the test, the patient will receive sedating medication. Vital signs and heart
rhythm will be monitored for changes. A lighted, flexible tube is inserted into the mouth and after
local anesthesia, passed down the throat, into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, beginning
of the small intestine. Abnormalities, such as bleeding, polyps or ulcers are searched for. Polyps
can be removed and biopsies can be taken, if needed. Once the test is complete, and the patient is
awakened from the sedating medication, he can go home.

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
Prior to this test, the patient will have received directions from his physician not to have anything to
eat or drink for eight to twelve hours. This test is when done looking for problems in the liver,
gallbladder, pancreas or bile ducts. Once at the test, the patient will receive sedating medication.
Vital signs and heart rhythm will be monitored for changes. After local anesthesia, the flexible
endoscope is passed down the patient's throat, into the stomach and duodenum. Dye is then
injected into the pancreatic ducts and x-rays are taken to look for abnormalities, such as
gallstones, inflammation or cancer. A stent may be placed if there is a blockage. Gallstones may
be removed, if necessary. A tissue biopsy may be taken if cancer is questioned. Once the test is
complete, and the patient is awakened from the sedating medication, he can go home.

Liver Biopsy
This diagnostic test allows testing on a small piece of tissue from your liver. This test may be done
to diagnose hepatitis, liver cancer or some other liver disorder. Any blood thinners, including
aspirin, the patient may be on should be stopped about a week prior to the biopsy. Blood tests for
blood clotting times should be completed. On the day of the test, the patient will receive sedating
medication and pain medication. A local anesthesia will be injected into the patient's right side,
where the biopsy will be performed. The physician will then use ultrasound and guide a biopsy
needle to the liver and obtain a sample of tissue. Following the procedure, the patient must remain
in bed, with pressure to the biopsy site for a few hours to control any potential bleeding.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
Endoscopic ultrasound, or EUS, allows your doctor to use sound waves from ultrasound to see
lining and and walls of the upper and lower GI tract, as well as some of the internal organs close to
the GI tract, such as the pancreas and gall bladder. This procedure is done by a specially trained
gastroenterologist, and is used to diagnose digestive disease symptoms, evaluate possible
growths in the digestive tract, as well as aid in the staging of digestive cancers.
A Doppler probe can be used to study blood flow within the digestive tract. A fine needle aspiration
(FNA) may be done during the procedure to collect a tissue sample from a tumor, lymph nodes or
a fluid collection, and will be sent to pathology for review. Sedation and/or pain medication is
usually given during the procedure for comfort. EUS is frequently performed in conjunction with
ERCP.
The following are some common conditions EUS is used to help diagnose:
Anal sphincter and incontinence
Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia
Neuroendocrine tumors
Common bile duct stones
Esophageal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatitis
Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas
Rectal cancer
Rectal fistulas
Smooth muscle tumors
Enlarged lymph nodes

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
nonionizing imaging technique for visualizing the abdominal
cavity to identify disease or deformity in the gastrointestinal
tract

MRI
magnetic resonance imaging

radiography
x-ray imaging used to detect a condition or anomaly with the
gastrointestinal tract

upper gastrointestinal (GI) series
x-ray of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum after the
patient has swallowed a contrast medium; barium is the most
commonly used medium

GI
gastrointestinal

barium swallow
x-ray of the esophagus only; often used to locate swallowed
objects

fluoroscopy
x-ray imaging with a fluorescent screen to visualize structures in
motion (during a barium swallow)

small bowel series
x-ray examination of the small intestine; generally done in
conjunction with a upper GI series

lower gastrointestinal (GI) series
x-ray imaging of the colon after administration of an enema
containing a contrast medium

barium enema
x-ray imaging of the colon after administration of an enema
containing a contrast medium

cholangiogram
x-ray image of the bile ducts; often performed during surgery

cholecystogram
x-ray imaging of the abdomen used to identify a condition or
anomaly within the gastrointestinal tract

computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen
cross-sectional x-ray imagining of the abdomen used to identify
a condition or anomaly within the gastrointestinal tract

CT
computed tomography

sonography
ultrasound imaging

abdominal sonogram
ultrasound image of the abdomen to detect disease or deformity
in organs and vascular structures (liver, pancreas, gallbladder,
spleen, and aorta)

endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)
images produced using a sonographic transducer within an
endoscope to evaluate abnormalities of the upper and lower
gastrointestinal tracts and adjacent structures (biliary ducts,
gallbladder, and pancreas); also used to guide needle biopsy of
tissue and in determining the stage of a malignancy

EUS
endoscopic ultrasonography