BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEnteroscopyPush enteroscopy; Double-balloon enteroscopy; Single-balloon enteroscopy; Spiral enteroscopy; Capsule enteroscopyEnteroscopy is a procedure used to examine the small intestine (small bowel). How the Test is Performed An enteroscope uses a long flexible tube with a balloon and a camera attached that can go deep down the inside of the small bowel.During a single- or double-balloon enteroscopy, balloons attached to the endoscope can be inflated to allow the doctor to view a section of the small intestine. The enteroscope is usually inserted through the mouth for upper enteroscopy.In a colonoscopy, a flexible tube is inserted through your rectum and colon. The tube can most often reach into the end part of the small intestine (ileum). Occasionally, an enteroscope is inserted through the rectum to reach further into the end of the small intestine.ColonoscopyA colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Capsule endoscopy is done with a disposable capsule that you swallow. This transmits pictures to a recorder and is uploaded to a computer for viewing the pictures.Capsule endoscopyEndoscopy is a way of looking inside the body. Endoscopy is often done with a tube put into the body that the doctor can use to look inside. Anothe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tissue samples removed during enteroscopy are sent to the lab for examination. (Biopsies cannot be taken with a capsule endoscopy.) How to Prepare for the Test Tell the doctor doing your enteroscopy if you take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), apixaban (Eliquis), aspirin, or daily NSAIDs because these may interfere with the test. Do not stop taking any medicine unless told to do so by your doctor or health care provider.Do not eat any solid foods or milk products after midnight on the day of your procedure. You may have clear liquids until 4 hours before your exam. Occasionally a laxative is given before the enteroscopy. Follow your specific instructions.You must sign a consent form. How the Test will Feel You will be given calming and sedating medicine for the procedure and will not feel any discomfort. You may have some bloating or cramping when you wake up. This is from air that is pumped into the abdomen to expand the area during the procedure.A capsule endoscopy causes no discomfort. Why the Test is Performed This test is most often performed to help diagnose diseases of the small intestine. It may be done if you have:Abnormal x-ray results Tumors in the small intestine Unexplained diarrhea Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding Normal Results In a normal test result, the doctor will not find sources of bleeding in the small bowel, and will not find any tumors or other abnormal tissue. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal signs during an enteroscopy may include:Abnormalities of the tissue lining the small intestine (mucosa) or the tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine (villi) Abnormal lengthening of blood vessels (angioectasia) in the intestinal lining Immune cells called PAS-positive macrophages Polyps or cancer PolypsA polyp biopsy is a test that takes a sample of, or removes polyps (abnormal growths) for examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation enteritis Radiation enteritisRadiation enteritis is damage to the lining of the intestines (bowels) caused by radiation therapy, which is used for some types of cancer treatment....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels Lymph nodesA lymph node biopsy is the removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope. The lymph nodes are small glands that make white blood ce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UlcersChanges found on enteroscopy may be signs of disorders and conditions, including:Amyloidosis AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Celiac disease Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Crohn disease Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Folate or vitamin B12 deficiency FolateFolic acid and folate are both terms for a type of B vitamin (vitamin B9). Folate is a B vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as green leafy v...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Giardiasis GiardiasisGiardia, or giardiasis, is a parasitic infection of the small intestine. A tiny parasite called Giardia lamblia causes it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infectious gastroenteritis GastroenteritisViral gastroenteritis is present when a virus causes an infection of the stomach and intestine. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphangiectasia LymphangiectasiaLymphadenitis is an infection of the lymph nodes (also called lymph glands). It is a complication of certain bacterial infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphoma LymphomaHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small intestinal angioectasia Small intestinal cancer Tropical sprue Tropical sprueTropical sprue is a condition that occurs in people who live in or visit tropical areas for extended periods of time. It impairs nutrients from bein...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Whipple diseaseWhipple diseaseWhipple disease is a rare condition that mainly affects the small intestine. This prevents the small intestine from allowing nutrients to pass into ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Risks Complications are rare but may include:Excessive bleeding from the biopsy site Hole in the bowel (bowel perforation) Infection of the biopsy site leading to bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) Vomiting, followed by aspiration into the lungs AspirationAspiration means to draw in or out using a sucking motion. It has two meanings:Breathing in a foreign object (for example, sucking food into the air...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The capsule endoscope can cause a blockage in a narrowed intestine with symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating Considerations Factors that prohibit use of this test may include: Uncooperative or confused person Untreated blood clotting (coagulation) disorders Use of medicines that prevent the blood from clotting normally (anticoagulants) The greatest risk is bleeding. Signs of bleeding include:Abdominal pain Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood in the stools Blood in the stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting bloodVomiting bloodVomiting blood is regurgitating (throwing up) contents of the stomach that contains blood. Vomited blood may appear bright red, dark red, or look lik...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesCameron J. Large bowel. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:177-286.Rojas I, Barth B. Capsule endoscopy and small bowel enteroscopy. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 63.Sugumar A, Vargo JJ. Preparation for and complications of gastrointestinal endoscopy. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 42.Waterman M, Zurad EG, Gralnek IM. Video capsule endoscopy. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.AllVideoImagesTogSmall intestine biopsy - illustration Small bowel biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a portion of the small bowel lining is removed for examination. A flexible fiberoptic tube (endoscope) is inserted through your mouth or nose and into the upper gastrointestinal tract where a tissue sample is removed. This test is most often performed to help diagnose diseases of the small intestines.Small intestine biopsyillustrationEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - illustration Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test procedure to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. The procedure uses an endoscope. This is a flexible tube with a light and camera at the end. A biopsy can be taken through the endoscope of any suspicious areas that are seen.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)illustrationCapsule endoscopy - illustration Capsule endoscopy is a test procedure in which a camera inside a small capsule takes pictures of the lining of your digestive system. The capsule is about the size of a large vitamin pill. After swallowing it, the capsule travels the length of your digestive system and transmits images to a wearable recorder.Capsule endoscopyillustrationSmall intestine biopsy - illustration Small bowel biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a portion of the small bowel lining is removed for examination. A flexible fiberoptic tube (endoscope) is inserted through your mouth or nose and into the upper gastrointestinal tract where a tissue sample is removed. This test is most often performed to help diagnose diseases of the small intestines.Small intestine biopsyillustrationEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - illustration Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test procedure to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. The procedure uses an endoscope. This is a flexible tube with a light and camera at the end. A biopsy can be taken through the endoscope of any suspicious areas that are seen.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)illustrationCapsule endoscopy - illustration Capsule endoscopy is a test procedure in which a camera inside a small capsule takes pictures of the lining of your digestive system. The capsule is about the size of a large vitamin pill. After swallowing it, the capsule travels the length of your digestive system and transmits images to a wearable recorder.Capsule endoscopyillustration Tests for Enteroscopy EnteroscopyRelated Information Radiation enteritis(Condition)Swollen lymph nodes(Symptoms)Celiac disease – sprue(Condition)Valley fever(Condition)Folic acid in diet(Nutrition)Vitamin B12(Nutrition)Giardia infection(Condition)Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)(Condition)Crohn disease(Condition)Lymphadenitis(Condition)Vitamins and Phytonutrients - InDepth(In-Depth)Crohn disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Hodgkin disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
EnteroscopyPush enteroscopy; Double-balloon enteroscopy; Single-balloon enteroscopy; Spiral enteroscopy; Capsule enteroscopyEnteroscopy is a procedure used to examine the small intestine (small bowel). How the Test is Performed An enteroscope uses a long flexible tube with a balloon and a camera attached that can go deep down the inside of the small bowel.During a single- or double-balloon enteroscopy, balloons attached to the endoscope can be inflated to allow the doctor to view a section of the small intestine. The enteroscope is usually inserted through the mouth for upper enteroscopy.In a colonoscopy, a flexible tube is inserted through your rectum and colon. The tube can most often reach into the end part of the small intestine (ileum). Occasionally, an enteroscope is inserted through the rectum to reach further into the end of the small intestine.ColonoscopyA colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Capsule endoscopy is done with a disposable capsule that you swallow. This transmits pictures to a recorder and is uploaded to a computer for viewing the pictures.Capsule endoscopyEndoscopy is a way of looking inside the body. Endoscopy is often done with a tube put into the body that the doctor can use to look inside. Anothe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tissue samples removed during enteroscopy are sent to the lab for examination. (Biopsies cannot be taken with a capsule endoscopy.) How to Prepare for the Test Tell the doctor doing your enteroscopy if you take blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), apixaban (Eliquis), aspirin, or daily NSAIDs because these may interfere with the test. Do not stop taking any medicine unless told to do so by your doctor or health care provider.Do not eat any solid foods or milk products after midnight on the day of your procedure. You may have clear liquids until 4 hours before your exam. Occasionally a laxative is given before the enteroscopy. Follow your specific instructions.You must sign a consent form. How the Test will Feel You will be given calming and sedating medicine for the procedure and will not feel any discomfort. You may have some bloating or cramping when you wake up. This is from air that is pumped into the abdomen to expand the area during the procedure.A capsule endoscopy causes no discomfort. Why the Test is Performed This test is most often performed to help diagnose diseases of the small intestine. It may be done if you have:Abnormal x-ray results Tumors in the small intestine Unexplained diarrhea Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding Normal Results In a normal test result, the doctor will not find sources of bleeding in the small bowel, and will not find any tumors or other abnormal tissue. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal signs during an enteroscopy may include:Abnormalities of the tissue lining the small intestine (mucosa) or the tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine (villi) Abnormal lengthening of blood vessels (angioectasia) in the intestinal lining Immune cells called PAS-positive macrophages Polyps or cancer PolypsA polyp biopsy is a test that takes a sample of, or removes polyps (abnormal growths) for examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation enteritis Radiation enteritisRadiation enteritis is damage to the lining of the intestines (bowels) caused by radiation therapy, which is used for some types of cancer treatment....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes or lymphatic vessels Lymph nodesA lymph node biopsy is the removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope. The lymph nodes are small glands that make white blood ce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UlcersChanges found on enteroscopy may be signs of disorders and conditions, including:Amyloidosis AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Celiac disease Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Crohn disease Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Folate or vitamin B12 deficiency FolateFolic acid and folate are both terms for a type of B vitamin (vitamin B9). Folate is a B vitamin that occurs naturally in foods such as green leafy v...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Giardiasis GiardiasisGiardia, or giardiasis, is a parasitic infection of the small intestine. A tiny parasite called Giardia lamblia causes it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infectious gastroenteritis GastroenteritisViral gastroenteritis is present when a virus causes an infection of the stomach and intestine. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphangiectasia LymphangiectasiaLymphadenitis is an infection of the lymph nodes (also called lymph glands). It is a complication of certain bacterial infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphoma LymphomaHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small intestinal angioectasia Small intestinal cancer Tropical sprue Tropical sprueTropical sprue is a condition that occurs in people who live in or visit tropical areas for extended periods of time. It impairs nutrients from bein...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Whipple diseaseWhipple diseaseWhipple disease is a rare condition that mainly affects the small intestine. This prevents the small intestine from allowing nutrients to pass into ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Risks Complications are rare but may include:Excessive bleeding from the biopsy site Hole in the bowel (bowel perforation) Infection of the biopsy site leading to bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) Vomiting, followed by aspiration into the lungs AspirationAspiration means to draw in or out using a sucking motion. It has two meanings:Breathing in a foreign object (for example, sucking food into the air...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The capsule endoscope can cause a blockage in a narrowed intestine with symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating Considerations Factors that prohibit use of this test may include: Uncooperative or confused person Untreated blood clotting (coagulation) disorders Use of medicines that prevent the blood from clotting normally (anticoagulants) The greatest risk is bleeding. Signs of bleeding include:Abdominal pain Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood in the stools Blood in the stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting bloodVomiting bloodVomiting blood is regurgitating (throwing up) contents of the stomach that contains blood. Vomited blood may appear bright red, dark red, or look lik...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesCameron J. Large bowel. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:177-286.Rojas I, Barth B. Capsule endoscopy and small bowel enteroscopy. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 63.Sugumar A, Vargo JJ. Preparation for and complications of gastrointestinal endoscopy. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 42.Waterman M, Zurad EG, Gralnek IM. Video capsule endoscopy. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.