Endoscopy for GI Conditions

At Houston Methodist’s Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health, our skilled gastroenterologists evaluate the esophagus, stomach and entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract using advanced endoscopic procedures. With your comfort and rapid recovery in mind, we use the thinnest, least invasive endoscopes available to diagnose and treat a wide range of digestive system disorders.

Endoscopy allows direct visualization of the gastrointestinal tract, including the upper digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and duodenum) and lower digestive tract (colon and rectum). These procedures are invaluable tools in identifying issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, blood pressure complications and unexplained weight loss.

Nationally Recognized for Excellence in GI Care

Houston Methodist Hospital is proud to be ranked No. 7 in the nation for Gastroenterology & GI surgery by U.S. News & World Report. We are also honored to be recognized as the No. 1 hospital in Texas every year since the award's inception. Additionally, we are a nationally ranked Honor Roll hospital, placing us among the top hospitals in the country for overall excellence in patient care.

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Patient-Centric Surgical Procedures

At the Underwood Center for Digestive Health, our surgeons specialize in using minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery, to diagnose and treat a wide range of gastrointestinal and cancer-related conditions.

Minimally invasive approaches offer many patient benefits, including:

  • Smaller incisions and minimal scarring
  • Reduced pain and lower risk of complications
  • Shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times

 

These procedures involve the use of a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has a light and a camera at the tip. Depending on your symptoms and the location of your condition within the GI tract (whether affecting the left side of the abdomen, upper gastrointestinal region or deeper structures), the endoscope can be inserted through the mouth or rectum to provide a clear view of your digestive system.

In some cases, we may perform therapeutic interventions during your procedure, including stenting to open narrowed passages or resection to remove abnormal tissue.

Types of GI Endoscopy We Perform

At our state-of-the-art facility, our specialists perform multiple types of diagnostic procedures, including tens of thousands of colorectal screenings every year. The endoscopic procedures we offer include the following:

 

  • Upper GI endoscopy (EGD): An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is used to inspect the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is helpful for detecting conditions such as ulcers, heartburn and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). It can also be used to take biopsies, remove growths and treat esophageal varices.
  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): An endoscopic ultrasound combines endoscopy and ultrasound to obtain detailed images of internal organs, such as the pancreas and nearby lymph nodes. It is often used in evaluating tumors, detecting celiac disease, assessing duodenal masses or collecting fluid samples.
  • Capsule endoscopy: A capsule endoscopy uses a pill-sized wireless camera that is swallowed to capture images of the small intestine. This is especially useful for detecting gastrointestinal bleeding, strictures or inflammation in areas that are difficult to reach with other types of scopes.
  • Lower endoscopy (colonoscopy): A lower endoscopy is used to evaluate the colon and rectum for polyps, tumors and early signs of colorectal cancer. It is commonly performed as a screening exam or when symptoms such as rectal bleeding or anemia are present.

GI Conditions We Diagnose

Our gastroenterologists use both upper and lower GI endoscopy procedures to help diagnose and treat the following conditions:

 

The Benefits of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Only around 20 U.S. centers provide endoscopic spine surgery. The Underwood Center is one of them.

Learn the benefits >

How Minimally Invasive Surgery Benefits Patients

Our surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures on the digestive tract with tools half the size of standard tools.

Watch the video >

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