We Offer a Non-Invasive Endoscopic Method
GI Specialists of Georgia provides Spyglass cholangioscopy, a non-invasive endoscopic method procedure, to patients in the Atlanta, GA area. Our board-certified gastroenterology physicians have treated various liver, pancreas, and digestive tract disorders for the last three decades. Our valued patients rely on the GI Specialists of Georgia team to provide top-notch gastrointestinal services.
What is Spyglass Cholangioscopy?
Spyglass cholangioscopy is a technique that permits doctors to examine the bile ducts with a small-caliber scope directly. This technique allows doctors to view the biliary duct system and difficult-to-reach, small ducts in the pancreas. This is accomplished using a 6,000-pixel fiber-optic probe attached to a tiny camera. The endoscope used in the Spyglass cholangioscopy provides enhanced visualization that is easier to obtain than it was using previous Spyglass systems. Spyglass cholangioscopy can also help obtain biopsy specimens, lead to the diagnosis of abnormalities, and guide stone therapy.
When is Spyglass Cholangioscopy Used?
Spyglass cholangioscopy can help diagnose and treat various conditions relating to the bile ducts, liver, and pancreas. This unique procedure can help retrieve biopsies, diagnose cancers, determine the precise preoperative location of tumors, diagnose and evaluate post-transplantation biliary issues, study various infections, and more. The conditions that Spyglass cholangioscopy can help diagnose and treat include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Biliary and pancreatic duct cancers
- Pancreatic stones
- Pancreatic duct tumors
- Biliary stones
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Autoimmune pancreatitis
What to Expect During Spyglass Cholangioscopy
Patient preparation and recovery for this procedure are not different from those for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The duration of the procedure is longer but is still considered an outpatient procedure. It will be performed at Wellstar Kennestone Endoscopy Center. Your throat will be numbed with a local anesthetic for your ERCP with the Spyglass procedure, and you may also receive a sedative. From there, your doctor will insert the endoscope into your mouth and pass it down your throat and esophagus to your stomach and duodenum to visualize your bile or pancreatic duct. The endoscope is equipped with the Spyglass 6,000-pixel fiber-optic probe. It will be able to transmit pictures to your doctor via a monitor.
What to Expect After Spyglass Cholangioscopy
After Spyglass cholangioscopy, patients rest in a recovery room for about an hour to allow the sedation to wear off fully. While in the recovery room, your vital signs will be monitored. Like with most procedures, this one requires patients to have an arranged ride home because they will be unable to drive themselves because of the sedatives. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours before resuming normal activities. It is also normal for the throat to feel sore for a day or two after the procedure. You may be asked not to eat anything until the next day.
More About Spyglass Cholangioscopy
At GI Specialists of Georgia, Spyglass cholangioscopy is an effective diagnostic and therapeutic non-invasive endoscopic method used for direct visualization of bile ducts. Cholangioscopy is performed at Wellstar Kennestone Endoscopy Center, using the "Spy-Glass DS" system in conjunction with ERCP. This is a single-operator system attached to the ERCP scope. A small borescope is inserted directly into the bile ducts to guide optical and accessory devices for diagnostic and therapeutic applications during therapeutic ERCP.
ERCP is an adequate first step to diagnosing and treating most bile and pancreatic ducts diseases using x-ray imaging. The Spyglass DS can later be suggested if ECRP fails to provide this information. "Spy-Glass DS" provides direct visualization of the bile ducts allowing the endoscopist to a targeted biopsy characterizing benign versus malignant natures of biliary strictures and diagnosing intraductal tumors. The system also allows for direct fragmentation of bile or pancreatic duct stones.
Contact Our GI Specialists Today
At GI Specialists of Georgia, we proudly provide our valued patients with state-of-the-art facilities, top-of-the-line technology, exceptional services, and an expert team. Along with Spyglass cholangioscopy, we offer comprehensive gastrointestinal services, ranging from anesthesia to telehealth appointments. Contact us today if you're dealing with a gastrointestinal (GI) issue. We can help.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Atlanta-Area Gastroenterologists
Whether you’re here for an endoscopic ultrasound or a colonoscopy, we will treat you with the utmost respect and dignity. Our gastroenterologists in the Douglasville and Northwest Atlanta area believe in the importance of educating our patients on a variety of health topics, ranging from anemia to gastrointestinal infections, cirrhosis of the liver, and pancreatitis. To schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified gastroenterologists, please contact GI Specialists of Georgia today.
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