Overview of services offered in Gastroenterology and MetabologyMetabolic Disorders at Klinikum Landkreis Erding

Diagnostic procedures

  • Gastroscopy for diagnosis and treatment in combination with endoscopic procedures (e. g. balloon catheter dilatation, hemostasis, mucosectomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection)
  • Feeding tube insertion through the abdominal wall into the stomach (PEG)
  • Coloscopy for diagnosis and treatment in combination with endoscopic procedures (e.g. polypectomy, mucosectomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection)
  • ERCP (visualization of bile duct and pancreatic duct in combination with therapeutic procedures, e.g. gall stone extraction, insertion of plastic or metal stents into the bile duct)
  • PTCD (biliary drainage through the liver and skin to the outside)
  • Guided puncture of internal organs using endoscopic ultrasound (endosonography)
  • Percutaneous ultrasound-guided puncture
  • 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH measurement, measurement of esophageal and rectal pressure (manometry)
  • 13C urea breath test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach
  • Hydrogen breath tests to diagnose conditions such as lactose intolerance

Diagnosis and treatment of

  • Metabolic disorders (especially diabetes mellitus, including an education program); diabetes patients are offered diabetes counselling and education
  • Dietary advice
  • Pain therapy
  • Palliative tumor therapy

Information on functional examinations in gastroenterology

Gastroscopy (visualization of the stomach)

A flexible device (video endoscope) is used to visualize the esophagus, stomach and duodenum so that any clinical conditions can be examined (by taking tissue samples), documented and usually treated immediately (e.g. hemostasis, removal of swallowed objects, bridging and opening of narrowed passages).


Coloscopy (visualization of the colon)

The large intestine and the final section of the small intestine are examined using a video endoscope. Therapeutic procedures may also be performed during this examination (e.g. tissue sampling, polypectomy, hemostasis, treatment of hemorrhoids).


Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (visualization of bile duct and pancreatic duct)

The visualization of the bile duct and the pancreatic duct involves the insertion of a special endoscope through the stomach into the duodenum until it reaches the entrance of the bile duct and pancreatic duct. The ducts are made visible and examined using a contrast medium under X-ray guidance. Therapeutic procedures may be performed within the same session, such as removing bile duct and pancreatic duct stones as well as bridging and opening blocked ducts.


Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage (PTCD)

PTCD involves puncturing obstructed bile ducts through the skin and the liver from the outside to visualize the bile ducts and perform biliary drainage.


Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (insertion of a feeding tube through the abdominal wall into the stomach)

A feeding tube is passed through the skin of the abdomen into the stomach or small intestine by means of a gastroscopy. This procedure can usually be performed under local anesthesia. It allows patients suffering from reduced consciousness or swallowing disorders (e.g. following a stroke) to be provided with fluids and nutrition at home.


Enteroscopy (visualization of small intestine)

A small device called double-balloon enteroscope is used to thread and visualize the entire small intestine, which is several meters in length. This examination is particularly important when investigating gastrointestinal hemorrhage of unknown origin. This device can be used for both hemostasis and polypectomy in the small intestine.


Endosonography (ultrasound examination using an endoscope, including the possibility of puncture)

An ultrasound probe attached to an endoscope is inserted into the upper gastrointestinal tract. By using this technique, even the smallest changes inside and underneath the mucous membrane can be detected and, if necessary, punctured under ultrasound guidance.


Functional examinations in gastroenterology

  • 13C breath test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach
  • Hydrogen breath testing to diagnose conditions such as lactose intolerance
  • Measurement of acid levels in the esophagus and stomach (pH measurement)
  • Measurement of esophageal and rectal pressure (manometry)

Sonography

The sonographic techniques used in the examination allow for visualizing internal organs in a way that is gentle to the patient and avoids exposure to X-rays. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs is an essential part of internal diagnostic procedures. The additional use of what is referred to as color Doppler sonography measures blood flow to provide further information. This ultrasound device can also be used to take local tissue samples from organs under visual control. Besides abdominal organs, the chest cavity, the thyroid gland and the vessels can also be examined.


Ultrasound examinations

The department also performs ultrasound examinations of the abdominal organs, the thyroid gland, vessels and soft tissues.