Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy

The Digestive Endoscopy Unit performs a comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures, both elective and emergency.

Key procedures include: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), Colonoscopy, Polypectomy, Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), Full-thickness resection (FTR), Argon plasma coagulation (APC), Placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ), Insertion of enteral metal stents, Dilation of esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and colonic strictures, Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum, achalasia, and gastroparesis, Capsule endoscopy, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), SpyGlass® cholangioscopy, Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), Stent placement for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts or peripancreatic fluid collections, Hepaticogastrostomy and choledochoduodenostomy with dedicated stent placement, Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for neuroendocrine and pancreatic cystic tumors.

Additionally, the unit conducts endoscopic procedures in pediatric patients and motility studies, including pH impedance testing and esophageal/rectal manometry.

The Abdominal Ultrasound Unit performs advanced diagnostic and interventional ultrasound procedures for various organs of the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliopancreatic systems.

Key services include: Abdominal ultrasound, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and Doppler imaging, Ultrasound imaging of intestinal loops, Transperineal ultrasound for evaluating perianal disorders, Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of focal liver or pancreatic lesions and abdominal masses, Ultrasound-guided drainage of abdominal fluid collections, Aspiration of cystic lesions, with optional alcohol ablation for treatment, Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of primary or metastatic focal liver lesions.

This clinic evaluates patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Its core activities include: Performing diagnostic endoscopic and radiological examinations, Developing tailored therapeutic programs.

This clinic provides comprehensive diagnostic and follow-up services for patients with chronic hepatitis B/delta and autoimmune or cholestatic liver diseases, including: Autoimmune hepatitis, Primary biliary cirrhosis, Sclerosing cholangitis, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

This clinic manages patients with intestinal polyposis and hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
Genetic testing is available to detect mutations associated with hereditary colon cancer.

It evaluates patients with chronic liver diseases of various etiologies. In this context, it also offers FibroScan (or liver elastography), a non-invasive procedure that quantifies liver fibrosis.

Patients with liver cirrhosis are also monitored through clinical and ultrasound follow-ups, as well as those with hepatocellular carcinoma, within the framework of a multidisciplinary evaluation.

Additionally, a specific care pathway is available for patients awaiting liver transplantation or those who have already undergone transplantation.

The Gastroenterology Research Unit conducts translational research focused on the genetics of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and hepatic cancers. The unit collaborates with leading national and international institutions to advance its research initiatives.