Endoscope: Applications & Health Benefits

Endoscopes are used for direct visualization of human hollow organs and hollow bodies, which may be required in various medical specialties for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. Endoscopes allow for minimally invasive procedures that are associated with less distress to the patient. What is an endoscope? Endoscopes enable minimally invasive procedures that are associated with less … Endoscope: Applications & Health Benefits

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is an X-ray-based imaging procedure. It is used to image the biliary and pancreatic ducts. This method is an invasive diagnostic procedure and therefore carries risks. What is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography? ERCP is an X-ray-based imaging procedure. It is used to image the biliary and pancreatic ducts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography is … Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Evaluation of the liver by MRI

Introduction In a magnetic resonance examination (MRI), the patient is pushed into a tube fitted with magnetic coils. With the help of electricity, a magnetic field begins to build up, which then generates an image via complex calculation processes. Indication An MRI of the liver is always performed when other imaging techniques cannot provide an … Evaluation of the liver by MRI

Cholecystokinin: Function & Diseases

Cholecystokinin (obsolete: pancreocymin, or CCK for short) is a hormone found mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. Translated into German, cholecystokinin means “gallbladder accelerator”. The name itself thus indicates that cholecystokinin plays a significant role in human digestion. What is cholecystokinin? Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the endocrine (hormone) system. Click to enlarge. … Cholecystokinin: Function & Diseases

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a radiological examination method that produces diagnostic results for the field of internal medicine. It provides imaging of the ducts of the gallbladder and pancreas and can detect stone formation, inflammation, or new tissue formation. Because it is noninvasive and does not use contrast agents, the examination is very low-risk. What … Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Enterohepatic Circulation: Function, Purpose & Diseases

The enterohepatic circulation describes the transport pathway of some substances, such as those of nutrients, drugs, or even toxins in the body. These substances circulate from the liver through the gallbladder to the intestine and back to the liver. Some substances may pass through this circuit multiple times. What is the enterohepatic circulation? The enterohepatic … Enterohepatic Circulation: Function, Purpose & Diseases

Enterococci: Infection, Transmission & Diseases

Enterococci play a significant role in the intestinal flora and, correspondingly, in the immune system. However, nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infectious diseases are in many cases traceable to enterococcal strains. What are enterococci? Enterococci is the name given to a distinct genus of gram-positive lactic acid bacteria with a spherical (coccoid) morphology that belongs to the Streptococcaceae … Enterococci: Infection, Transmission & Diseases