Endoscopy Specialist

What is an endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows Dr. Hiba to closely examine the inside of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. He may perform an endoscopy to determine the cause of symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Heartburn
• Unexplained weight loss
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

During an endoscopy, Dr. Hiba can pass tools through the endoscope to take a biopsy and treat problems. For example, he may stop bleeding, widen a narrowed esophagus, treat gastroesophageal reflux, or remove blockages, to name just a few endoscopic procedures.

What type of endoscopy will I receive?

Dr. Hiba has extensive experience performing several types of endoscopies. He recommends the best one based on your symptoms, physical exam, and other tests such as bloodwork.

You may have one of the following:

Upper endoscopy

Dr. Hiba performs an upper endoscopy, also called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), to examine your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine).

During your endoscopy, Dr. Hiba uses a long, narrow, flexible tube (the endoscope) that is equipped with an ultra-high-definition camera and lighting. He passes the scope through your mouth and down the GI tract.

As he guides the endoscope through your upper GI tract, the camera sends images to a large organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen. The high-def camera combined with the OLED screen creates a crisp, high-contrast video that reveals every detail of the tissues lining your GI tract.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

This endoscopic procedure examines and treats problems in the bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and gallbladder. An ERCP is done the same way as an upper endoscopy. But once the endoscope is in the small intestine, Dr. Hiba passes a small tube through the scope and into the ducts.

Dr. Hiba performs an ERCP to find and treat problems such as:

• Gallstones
• Bile duct tumors
• Bile duct cysts
• Pancreatic cancer
• Infections
• Pancreatitis
• Cholecystitis
• Scarring (sclerosis)

During an ERCP, he can remove gallstones stuck in the bile duct, unblock pancreatic ducts, treat leaking bile, remove a tumor, insert a stent, and find causes of acute pancreatitis.

Dr. Hiba performs ERCPs at Bayfront Health Brooksville and Bayfront Health Spring Hill.

Capsule endoscopy

A capsule endoscopy provides great images — it’s the best way to examine your entire small intestine (not just the duodenum) — but it doesn’t allow Dr. Hiba to treat problems.

During a capsule endoscopy, you simply swallow a capsule the size of a vitamin. Dr. Hiba uses the Olympus MAJ-2029 endocapsule, an advanced device that contains a light, camera, and transmitter. The system is also user-friendly, with patient-specific guidance and instructions.

After you swallow the capsule, it automatically sends images to a receiver as it travels through your GI tract. Dr. Hiba downloads the images to a computer and examines them for inflammation, abnormalities, or bleeding.

What is endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)?

EUS is a type of diagnostic imaging that’s done with an endoscope containing an ultrasound probe. As Dr. Hiba guides the endoscope through your upper or lower GI tract, the ultrasound probe sends out high-frequency sound waves.

The sound waves bounce off the internal structures they encounter and return to the probe. Then the probe sends the information to a computer that produces detailed images.

An EUS produces images of your GI tract, as well as your pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and lungs.

When would I need an endoscopic ultrasound?

You may need an EUS to diagnose conditions such as:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cysts
• Bile and pancreatic duct stones
• Lymphoma
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Liver masses
• GI tract cancers 

However, an EUS does more than allow Dr. Hiba to accurately diagnose GI conditions. It provides enough details to grade most cancers, determining the tumor’s size and whether the cancer has spread. 

If you need to schedule an endoscopy, call Premier Gastroenterology or book an appointment online today.