Tests for gastrointestinal diseasesClick on the links below to learn about some of the tests

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

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

CholangiographyCholangiography is an examination that uses X-rays

and contrast medium (dye) to view your bile ducts.

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

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

Colonoscopy: examination of the colonA 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. 

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

Faecal occult blood testFaecal 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 ultrasoundUltrasound is the most common technique used to confirm the presence of gallstones.

Gallstones: diagnosisSeveral 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 germHelicobacter pylori infection of the stomach can be diagnosed using several different tests, including a breath test. 

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

IndigestionIndigestion is a term used to cover several medical conditions.

Liver biopsyFind 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 testingFind 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 manometryOesophageal manometry is a diagnostic test also known as an oesophageal function or oesophageal motility study.

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

PCR status and Hepatitis C transmissionPCR (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 ProceduresColonoscopyColonoscopy 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 tractMRImagnetic resonance imagingradiographyx-ray imaging used to detect a condition or anomaly with the gastrointestinal tractupper gastrointestinal (GI) seriesx-ray of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum after the patient has swallowed a contrast medium; barium is the most commonly used mediumGIgastrointestinalbarium swallowx-ray of the esophagus only; often used to locate swallowed objectsfluoroscopyx-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 serieslower gastrointestinal (GI) seriesx-ray imaging of the colon after administration of an enema containing a contrast mediumbarium enemax-ray imaging of the colon after administration of an enema containing a contrast mediumcholangiogramx-ray image of the bile ducts; often performed during surgerycholecystogramx-ray imaging of the abdomen used to identify a condition or anomaly within the gastrointestinal tractcomputed tomography (CT) of the abdomencross-sectional x-ray imagining of the abdomen used to identify a condition or anomaly within the gastrointestinal tractCTcomputed tomographysonographyultrasound imagingabdominal sonogramultrasound 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

EUSendoscopic ultrasonography