Division of Gastroenterology
Our Division of Gastroenterology offers exceptional patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Endoscopy
Diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal disease from the inside
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Routine and Advanced Endoscopic Procedures from Caring Specialists
The Endoscopy Center at Lahey Clinic offers leading-edge care for conditions that affect your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Our endoscopy doctors, nurses and technicians have the experience and expertise you need when you require endoscopic care. We take every step we can to make your procedure safe, effective and as comfortable as possible.
What is Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows our providers to view the inside of your digestive tract while you’re sedated or under anesthesia. It uses an instrument called an endoscope. This is a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera on its tip. As the endoscope moves through your body, images appear on a monitor. Our advanced technologies enable us to do a wide range of screenings, diagnostic tests and treatments with these procedures. They cause minimal discomfort.
During an upper endoscopy, doctors place the endoscope down your throat. It goes into your esophagus, stomach and the first part of your small intestine.
Doctors may also place an endoscope through your anus to examine your colon and rectum. This procedure is known as colonoscopy.
No matter which procedure you have, our team begins by explaining each step you’ll undergo. We listen to your concerns and answer any question you might have. Our goal is to put you at ease from the start. An endoscopy exam takes about 15 to 45 minutes to complete. But with preparation and recovery, you’re with us about two to three hours.
Diagnosing and Treating GI Conditions
At our Endoscopy Center, you can get everything from colon cancer screenings to treatments for swallowing disorders, bile duct disorders and tumor diagnosis using endoscopic ultrasound. We offer screenings and procedures for conditions that affect the following organs and body systems:
- Colon
- Esophagus
- Liver and biliary tree
- Pancreas
- Rectum
Conditions We Evaluate and Treat
Some specific conditions we address include:
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Bile duct stones
- Colon polyps
- Complex narrowing of the esophagus
- Complications after surgery
- Esophageal cancer
- Hard-to-find GI bleeding
- Heart burn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Pancreatic and bile duct cancer
- Swallowing disorders
- Ulcers
Our endoscopy specialists are at the forefront of finding new ways to use endoscopic tools and procedures to benefit you. This includes removal of large, precancerous lesions and treatment of early cancers of the GI tract. Because we’re a teaching hospital, you receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatments and care.
More About Endoscopy
Convenient Endoscopy on Demand
You receive a diagnosis and care quickly through our Endoscopy on Demand Service. This program lets your primary care provider refer you for an in-office consultation or schedule diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy at a time that’s convenient for you.
The results will be ready for your gastroenterologist consultation, saving you time and worry. Your provider may also schedule urgent treatments right away.
Endoscopy Preparation
Are you scheduled for an endoscopy? Download our endoscopy preparation instructions.
Pancreatic Cyst Clinic
Lahey offers a special clinic if you have pancreatic cysts. These fluid-filled sacs are often discovered on imaging tests such as MRI or CT. Some cysts have the potential to become cancerous.
Each week, experts from multiple specialties come together to discuss new pancreatic cyst cases. Our team then recommends appropriate follow-up. This may include:
- Additional imaging
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with cyst aspiration
- Surgical consultation
Esophageal Motility Center
If you have trouble moving food through your esophagus, our Esophageal Motility Center may be helpful. The center offers a number of tests that may identify heartburn, GERD or other problems such as weak swallowing muscles. These conditions may cause your symptoms and make you feel like food is stuck in your throat . Some of the tests available at the center include:
- Ambulatory esophageal pH study: This test tracks acid reflux symptoms over 24 hours as you go about your day. It involves inserting a catheter, or small tube, into your esophagus. Then, you record your symptoms and what you eat. This may show a link to acid reflux. At Lahey, we use a small device called a Bravo capsule for this test. It measures how often stomach acid enters your esophagus. The device sends information wirelessly to a recorder you wear at your waist.
- Esophageal impedance study: This test measures liquid or gas reflux over 24 hours, during your normal activities. Doctors place a thin catheter in your esophagus. It’s attached to a recording device you wear at your waist.
- High-resolution esophageal manometry: This test uses a thin catheter to measure the pressure in your esophagus as you swallow.
