Conditions & Treatments Banner

Gastroenterology Procedure Unit

Endoscopy Unit Procedures

Using the latest technological advances, the Endoscopy Unit in Boston Children's Hospital's GI/Nutrition Department performs routine and advanced tests and procedures to evaluate and treat patients. We also provide comprehensive sedation and anesthesiology services for patients as needed. Procedures performed include:


EGD (Esophogastroduodenoscopy) Procedures

For diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first portion of the small bowel) including:

  • Diagnostic Upper GI endoscopy
  • Foreign body removal
  • Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) - for feeding tube placement
  • Therapeutic homeostasis including sclerotherapy, band ligation, clipping and electrocautery techniques - to prevent or stop bleeding
  • Dilation of esophageal and other strictures
  • Endoscopic gastroplication (anti-gastroesophageal reflux procedure)
  • Achalasia dilation
  • BoTox injection of esophageal sphincter or pyloric muscle
  • Esophageal capsule endoscopy
  • Endoscopic closure of chronic gastrocutaneous fistula (after removal of gastrostomy tube)

 

Colonoscopy Procedures

For diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the large bowel including:

  • Diagnostic colonoscopy
  • Polypectomy
  • Percutaneous endoscopy colostomy (PEC) for irrigation tube placement
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Pouchoscopy

 

Enteroscopy Procedures

For diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the entire small bowel including:

  • Capsule endoscopy (swallowed or placed endoscopically)
  • Push enteroscopy
  • Intraoperative enteroscopy
  • Ileoscopy (through stoma)

 

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) Procedures

For diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas including:

  • Diagnostic ERCP
  • Stone removal
  • Stricture dilation
  • Stent placement
  • Sphincterotomy
  • Sphincter of Oddi manometry

 

Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS)

For diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the upper and lower GI tract, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas with suspected tumors including:

  • Diagnostic EUS
  • EUS-guided tissue biopsies
  • EUS-guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage
  • EUS-guided celiac ganglion neurolysis (for pain management)

 

Nutritional Assessment Procedures

  • Breath hydrogen testing for lactose and other carbohydrate malabsorption
  • Indirect calorimetry
  • Bioelectric impedance

 

Other Testing

  • Urea breath testing for H. Pylori infection
  • Change of gastrostomy tubes
  • Replacement of gastrojejunal feeding catheters

 

Motility Procedures

  • Esophageal and pH and impedance monitoring
  • Esophageal function testing
  • Anorectal manometry
  • Anorectal biofeedback training
  • Suction rectal biopsy
  • Antroduodenal manometry
  • Colon manometry
  • Esophageal manometry
  • BoTox injection of anal sphincter

 

Pulmonary Procedures

  • Bronchoscopy