This is the unit with most significance within our group. Thus, led by Dr López Cano, a specialist in Digestive Diseases with professional training in Spain, Italy and the United States, our digestive system team comprised of 6 specialists who attend to more than 30,000 cases annually and perform 6,000 endoscopic tests every year.
Our specialists are trained in prestigious hospital centres such as the Mayo Clinic in New York, the University Hospital of San Diego (California) or the Clinical Hospital of Barcelona. Some of them have held positions of presidency and vice-presidency in major scientific societies, such as the Spanish Society of Digestive Ultrasound, and are members of others such as the Spanish Society of Digestive Endoscopy, the Spanish Society for the Study of the Liver or the National Group of echo-endoscopy
Our particular focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of digestive pathologies means that an important percentage of our patients come from relatively distant geographical areas of Cadiz in search of a definitive solution to their problems. Thus, our collaboration with centres such as the Reina Sofía Hospital of Cordoba or the University Clinic of Navarre, is constant and seamless.
| EQUIPO MÉDICO |
|---|
| MARíA TEJADA CABRERA |
| ROBERTO HENRY QUEZADA PACHECO |
| ARACELI BONILLA FERNÁNDEZ |
| YOLANDA JIMÉNEZ MARTÍNEZ |
| JORGE NÚÑEZ OTERO |
| RAFAEL LEÓN MONTAÑÉS |
| ALEXANDER FLORES CUCHO |
| ENRIQUE RODRÍGUEZ DE SANTIAGO |
| LUIS RICARDO GOTUZZO ALTEZ |
| STALIN LUCIO ESPINOZA HERRERA |
| ANTONIO LÓPEZ CANO |
Capsule endoscopy
This is a non-invasive diagnostic technique, which consists of filming the inside of the small intestine through a micro video camera that is swallowed as a tablet and which is called a capsule.
Urease breath test
This is a painless and simple test that analyses the air we breathe and that allows for the detection of the bacterium ‘helicobacter pylori’ in the stomach, responsible for various gastric and duodenal ailments.
Oesophageal manometry
This measures the pressures and patterns of muscle contractions in the oesophagus. The abnormalities of these parameters can generate pain, acidity and / or difficulty swallowing. It is performed by inserting a thin probe into the oesophagus through the nose.
Anorectal manometry
This is the preferred examination method to evaluate anorectal function, especially in cases of constipation, incontinence or anal pain of unknown origin. It consists of the measurement of pressures, with a probe that we introduce through the anus, into the anal canal and rectum.
Lactose intolerance test (exhaled hydrogen)
Lactose intolerance may be due to poor production of the enzyme lactase in the intestine, which manifests itself through gas, bloating and occasionally diarrhoea. This test consists of exhaling air, in which the amount of hydrogen is measured, which is related to the enzyme deficit.
pHmetry
This is a fundamental exploration in the study of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is characterised by the presence of burning (heartburn) and sour burps (regurgitation). The pHmetry identifies, by means of a probe of very small gauge that is introduced via the nose, more than 95% of the patients with reflux. It also reports the amount and severity of the issue.
Abdominal ultrasound scan
This is a harmless technique, which is used ultrasound, to view internal organs in the abdomen, such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, prostate and peritoneal and retroperitoneal regions. Blood vessels (inferior vena cava, aorta….) may also be examined.
High and low-diagnostic endoscopy
This is, in general, the exploration by means of flexible tubes, inserted via the mouth or the anus, which are fitted with a camera, through which the inside of the digestive tract can be viewed. The high endoscopy allows the examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum and the low endoscopy allows the exploration of the entire colon and even the final centimetres of the small intestine. Both allow the sampling of biopsies and certain therapeutic actions. These procedures are always performed under sedation.
Therapeutic endoscopy
This consists of a set of techniques guided by endoscopes, which allow some injuries to heal definitively or to alleviate others, to improve the quality of life and the prognosis of the patient (removal of polyps, tumours or placement of prostheses). They are similarly performed under sedation. The vast majority of these techniques are outpatient.
High and low echo-endoscopy
This is an exploration that allows for direct viewing of the interior of the wall of the upper intestine, rectum and sigma, as well as the surrounding structures (mediastinum, pancreatic region, bile duct and pelvic cavity). This is possible since the echo-endoscope is an endoscopy tube that incorporates an ultrasound in the tip. It allows, therefore, for normal endoscopic vision and ultrasound vision of the entire region. These procedures are performed under sedation.
Echo-endoscopy with puncture
By using an echo-endoscope and a special needle, material can be obtained to be studied under a microscope, such as tumours or other lesions and to give an accurate diagnosis.
Elastography / FibroScan
This is a technique which is performed with a probe similar to the ultrasound, for the study of liver diseases. It is bloodless, simple and fast, and allows us to improve the diagnosis and evolutionary monitoring of liver fibrosis, without the need for biopsy. It does not induce any type of side effect or risk to the patient.
Diagnostic and therapeutic interventional ultrasound
Ultrasound has important advantages as a procedural guide: it is mobile, does not use ionising radiation and requires less time than other techniques. The method of the procedures involves introducing a needle or catheter through the ultrasound cutting plane. The thrust is controlled in real time, being able to direct this accurately towards the area to be diagnosed or treated. The most common procedures include biopsies, drains and percutaneous injections.
Abdominal echo-doppler
This is a type of ultrasound with which the blood flow that passes through the arteries and veins is studied, and that allows for us to ascertain its quantity and speed. It is highly useful for the study of portal hypertension, abdominal tumours and inflammatory bowel disease amongst other pathologies.
Ultrasound with contrast (Sonovue)
This is used to improve ultrasound imaging, as it increases the vascular signal of arteries and veins. It is especially used in the characterisation of abdominal tumours and in Crohn’s disease. The contrast is injected through a vein in the arm and within a few seconds it reaches the vessels of the abdomen, where these are viewed using ultrasound. The contrast is eliminated while breathing.
