Gastroenterology Tests & Endoscopy

MRI

• Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce a picture of a body structure. Your child will be able to watch a movie, listen to the radio or play a favorite CD wile the scan is being performed. Learn more.

PillCam

• Camera pill, a non-invasive capsule endoscopy.

24-Hour Esophageal pH Monitoring

Please see Esophageal Impedance-pH Study for further information.

Antroduodenal Manometry

If a person has problems digesting food or passing it through the body, an antroduodenal manometry may be performed. This procedure involves passing a catheter into the antrum (lower part of the stomach) and duodenum (upper part of the small intestines) in order to check their function. Learn more

Body Composition Test

Body composition tests are a series of tests that determine the risk of certain diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and more. Learn more

BRAVO Placement

BRAVO esophageal pH test is a test performed to determine if a patient has acid reflux. In order to conduct the test, doctors need to attach a small capsule with a sensor to the wall of the esophagus. This procedure is known as BRAVO placement. Learn more

Cholesterol Screening

A cholesterol screening is a blood test that measures your levels of different types of cholesterol. These include total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides. Learn more

Colonic Manometry

If a person has problems digesting food or passing it through the body, a colonic manometry may be performed. This procedure involves using a colonoscope to place a catheter in the colon (large intestines) in order to check its function. Learn more

Colonoscopy

A colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end of it that is passed into the anus to look for problems or perform procedures in the rectum or colon. Learn more

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Computed tomography is a medical imaging test that can be used as a diagnostic tool for a wide variety of medical conditions. It involves taking pictures of sections or slices of the body, layer by layer, to get a complete picture of an area of the body. Learn more

Contrast Enema

A contrast enema is an enema that is performed with a substance such as barium that makes certain parts of the body, such as the colon, show up better on an X-ray. This helps with the diagnosis of certain diseases. Learn more

Diagnostic Small Bowel Aspirates

Diagnostic small bowel aspirates is a medical test that involves checking a sample of fluid taken from the small intestine. The test is used to check for infection in the small intestines. Learn more

Disaccharidases

Disaccharidases are enzymes in the small bowel that break down complex sugars into simple sugars for digestion. A deficiency of one or more of these enzymes results in poor absorption of the corresponding sugar resulting in a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms. Disaccharidase deficiency may be congenital or acquired. Learn more

Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is an imaging test that is used to measure bone density. It’s performed by exposing the bones to a small dose of ionizing radiation. Learn more

Endoscopic Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a medical imaging test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of organs and systems inside the body. When more detailed images of portions of the digestive system are needed, a patient might receive an endoscopic ultrasound. This involves performing an ultrasound using an endoscope, or a long, thin, flexible tube that is passed inside the body. Learn more

Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a procedure that is done using a special tool with a camera at the end (an endoscope), to take a look at what is going on inside the person's esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Learn more

ERCP Test

If a patient has problems related to the biliary or pancreatic ducts, an ERCP might aid in both diagnosis and treatment. It involves using an endoscope and X-rays to operate directly on these ducts. Learn more

Esophageal Impedance-pH Study

The pH of something refers to its acidity on a scale. An esophageal pH-impedance study is a test performed in the esophagus that helps to diagnose acid and non-acid reflux. Learn more

Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry is a test of the function of the nerves and muscles of the esophagus, as well as the lower esophageal sphincter, that connects the esophagus to the stomach. It’s used for people who have trouble swallowing, heartburn or chest pain. Learn more

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to examine the rectum and the lower third of the colon. It involves inserting a long, flexible tube known as a sigmoidoscope that has a light and camera on it into the rectum. Learn more

Fluoroscopy

An easy way to understand fluoroscopy is to think of it like an X-ray video. Instead of producing a static image of the inside of the body, fluoroscopy produces a continuous, moving image to show how structures within the body are moving. Learn more

Gastric Emptying Study

A gastric emptying study is a test that may be performed if a digestive problem such as vomiting or stomach pain is present. The test measures the amount of time it takes for food to leave the stomach and enter the small intestine. Learn more

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Scan

If a doctor suspects that a patient is experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding somewhere along their digestive tract, then he or she may order a gastrointestinal bleeding scan. It involves using the patient’s own blood in order to detect the source and extent of the bleeding. Learn more

Helicobacter Pylori Screening

Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that can cause stomach inflammation and ulcers. This screening checks for the presence of titers in serum and stain biopsies for bacteria. Early diagnosis can prevent gastric ulcers as well as gastric cancer. Learn more

Hepatobiliary Scan

If a doctor suspects that a patient is experiencing problems related to the gallbladder, bile ducts or liver, then he or she may order a hepatobiliary scan. It’s a nuclear medicine test that involves scanning these areas of the body to look for problems. Learn more

Hydrogen Breath Test

If a doctor suspects that a patient is experiencing digestive problems where food is not being digested properly, he or she may order a hydrogen breath test. Hydrogen is produced by bacteria in the digestive tract. If a large amount of hydrogen is detected by the hydrogen breath test, it’s an indication that a large amount of unabsorbed food has reached the intestines. Learn more

I-cell Disease Test

Biochemical testing for I-cell disease involves the collection and analysis of plasma and urine. The activity of certain enzymes is increased when I-cell disease is present. Learn more

Impedance/pH Probe

Please see Esophageal Impedance-pH Study for further information.

Lactose Intolerance Test

This test is used to determine if a child is intolerant to milk or other products containing lactose. Early detection can prevent unnecessary discomforts and can be treated with adequate diet. Learn more

Liver Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue in order to check for problems. Learn more

Meckels Diverticulum Scan

Meckel’s diverticulum is an abnormality in the small intestines present since birth. It is caused by abnormally located stomach tissue and can lead to ulcers and bleeding later in life. A Meckel’s diverticulum scan is a test used to look for the presence of the abnormal tissue. Learn more

Organic Acid Quantitation (Succinylacetone)

Organic acid quantitation - succinylacetone is a test that can help diagnose a rare genetic disorders known as tyrosinemia type-1. Learn more

pH Probe Study

Please see Esophageal Impedance-pH Study for further information.

Rectal Suction Biopsy

A rectal suction biopsy is a diagnostic procedure performed to look for problems related to the colon and rectum. It might be needed if a child is having difficulty with bowel movements. It involves removing a small sample of tissue from the rectum. Learn more

Salivagram

A salivagram is an imaging test that shows how saliva flows from the mouth into the esophagus and stomach. It’s a nuclear medicine test, which means it uses a small amount of radioactive material in order to make the saliva show up better in an imaging test. Learn more

Small Bowel Biopsy

A small bowel biopsy is a medical procedure that is used to obtain and examine a tiny sample of small intestinal wall that can help in the diagnosis of a number of different digestive diseases that including chronic diarrhea, difficulty absorbing nutrients, or inflammatory diseases of the bowel. Learn more