n CME : Your SA Journal of CPD - Technology in gastroenterology : main topic

Abstract

Endoscopy has revolutionised clinical gastroenterology. <br>Fibreoptic and video-endoscopy are developments which have improved endoscopic examinations even further. They allow examination of the entire gastrointestinal tract. <br>Telemetry has made small-bowel studies possible. <br>A need for therapeutic endoscopy still exists. <br>New techniques for treating gastrointestinal bleeding include thermal methods by laser or electrical probes, injection sclerotherapy, haemostatic clips, banding of oesophageal varices and embolisation of bleeding vessels. <br>Endosonography, the combination of endoscopy and ultrasonography in one instrument, has created a useful diagnostic tool. It can be used for targeted biopsies, and staging of oesophageal and gastric cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. <br>Colonography is another new technology which is still too costly for general application and may provide a screening tool for colonic cancer.