ERCP A long camera inserted via the mouth to investigate the bile ducts. ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography!  It is carried out for the investigation of patients with jaundice or suspicion of bile duct disease.  Intravenous sedation and X-Rays are also used during the test.  Sometimes biopsies are taken and sometimes treatment can be [...]

Gastroscopy Gastroscopy refers to a long thin camera entering the mouth and examining the gullet, stomach and duodenum. If patients have upper abdominal pains, heartburn or difficulty eating or swallowing then their doctor may recommend a gastroscopy (sometimes called endoscopy).  This is a long camera that is inserted down the gullet or oesophagus to look [...]

Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are used to investigate the colon and rectum (large bowel) and to remove polyps. Patients with bowel symptoms such as bleeding, change in bowel habit or abdominal pain may be recommended for sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.  Sigmoidoscopy is the baby brother to colonoscopy and is a camera test that looks [...]