Endoscopic examinations allow the doctor to look directly at the lining of the digestive tract, detect changes caused by disease and, if needed, perform additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Baltic American Clinic performs endoscopic examinations of different parts of the digestive tract, from the oesophagus and stomach to the large bowel and anal canal. The examination is chosen according to your symptoms, the suspected disease and your doctor’s recommendations.
The examination is chosen according to which part of the digestive tract needs to be assessed.
If needed, a biopsy or other planned procedures are performed during the endoscopy.
Inflammatory, precancerous and other changes can be assessed directly.
Your health, the type of examination and the need for anaesthesia are taken into account.
When is an endoscopic examination needed?
An endoscopy may be recommended when a routine examination or other tests are not enough to find the cause of digestive symptoms.
The most common reasons are persistent digestive problems, abdominal pain of unclear origin, difficulty swallowing, signs of bleeding, changed bowel habits, or changes found in other tests.
Endoscopic examinations are also used to monitor previously diagnosed diseases and for bowel cancer prevention.
The doctor decides which examination is needed after assessing your symptoms, medical history and any test results you have.
Which endoscopic examinations are performed?
Gastroscopy (stomach examination)
Gastroscopy, also called oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD, EGD), is used to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
The examination helps detect changes caused by reflux, gastritis, ulcers and other diseases of the upper digestive tract.
Colonoscopy (large bowel examination)
During a colonoscopy, the lining of the large bowel is examined. The examination is important for diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, detecting polyps and preventing bowel cancer.
A biopsy can be taken or polyps removed during a colonoscopy.
Rectosigmoidoscopy (examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon)
Rectosigmoidoscopy is used to examine the rectum and part of the sigmoid colon.
It may be recommended when the cause of symptoms in the lower bowel needs to be clarified or changes found in the lining need to be assessed.
A proctologist can assess whether you need a rectosigmoidoscopy during a consultation. Based on your symptoms and the examination findings, the doctor decides whether this test is needed or whether another diagnostic test would be more appropriate.
Anoscopy (examination of the anal canal)
Anoscopy is an examination of the anal canal and the lower part of the rectum with a special instrument.
It is usually performed during a proctologist consultation to assess haemorrhoids and other changes in the anal canal.
What is the difference between diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy?
Diagnostic endoscopy
Used to examine the lining of the digestive tract and detect possible changes. If needed, a biopsy is taken: a small tissue sample is removed for laboratory examination.
Therapeutic endoscopy
Allows certain interventions to be carried out without conventional open surgery. One of the most common procedures is endoscopic polypectomy (removal of polyps).
Whether a therapeutic procedure can be performed during the same examination depends on the change found, the complexity of the intervention and the preparation.
How does the doctor choose the right examination?
The different endoscopic examinations are not interchangeable. Each is intended for a specific part of the digestive tract.
| Examination | Area examined |
|---|---|
| Gastroscopy | Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum |
| Colonoscopy | Large bowel (colon) |
| Rectosigmoidoscopy | Rectum and part of the sigmoid colon |
| Anoscopy | Anal canal and lower part of the rectum |
If the symptoms do not point to one specific part of the digestive tract, the doctor may recommend a combination of several examinations or other diagnostic methods.
How is an endoscopic examination organised?
Choosing the examination
The appropriate endoscopic examination is chosen based on your symptoms and the test results you have.
Preparation
You receive specific instructions before the examination. The preparation depends on the area being examined and the planned anaesthesia.
The examination
The doctor examines the relevant part of the digestive tract with an endoscope. If needed, additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedures are performed.
Results and recommendations
You receive a report after the examination. If a biopsy was taken, the final histology results are available later.
Anaesthesia and preparation
Endoscopic examinations can be performed without sedation or with appropriate anaesthesia. Whether it is needed depends on the type of examination, the planned intervention and your health.
The preparation also differs: before a gastroscopy you must not eat for a certain time, while a colonoscopy requires special bowel preparation.
You receive instructions for your specific examination when you book. If you take medicines that affect blood clotting or medicines for diabetes, tell your doctor in advance. Do not stop taking any medicines on your own.
After sedation or general anaesthesia you must follow the instructions of the medical staff and make sure you can get home safely.
When may the examination be postponed?
An endoscopic examination may be postponed if the preparation was insufficient, your health is unstable, or there are other circumstances that increase the risk of the procedure.
The doctor decides whether the examination is safe.
Frequently asked questions
Are endoscopy and gastroscopy the same thing?
No. Endoscopy is a general examination method, and gastroscopy is one type of it, used to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
Can a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy be done in one visit?
Medically this is possible. Whether both examinations can be done in one visit needs to be agreed with the clinic in advance.
Can an endoscopy replace an abdominal ultrasound?
No. Endoscopy shows the lining of the digestive tract, while ultrasound assesses the structure of the abdominal organs. The examinations can complement each other.
Do all endoscopic examinations require anaesthesia?
No. Whether anaesthesia is needed, and what kind, depends on the examination, the planned procedures and your individual health.
Is endoscopy always used only for diagnosis?
No. During some examinations, therapeutic procedures can also be carried out, such as removing polyps.
Endoscopic examination prices
The prices of endoscopic examinations are set by the Baltic American Clinic price list in force at the time.
The final price depends on the examination chosen, the anaesthesia and any additional procedures. A biopsy, histological examination, polyp removal and other additional services, if not included in the price of the examination, are charged separately according to the price list in force.
The scope of the examination and the expected costs are discussed before the procedure.