Main description:

by Mario Banche, M.D. IX The neologism "coloscopy" (colonscopy, colonoscopy) is the latest addition to the vocabulary of endoscopy of the large intestine. just as the term "duodenoscopy" was in endoscopy of the upper digestive tract a few years ago. With the advent of the coloscope it is now possible to examine the large bowel more extensively and effectively than was formerly possible with the use of its rigid forerunner, the rectosigmoidoscope. The earliest rectoscopes, 11 endoscopes" introduced during the 19th century by Segales and Desormeaux (1826, 1853), were conceived for many uses-inspection of the urethra, bladder, uterus, rectum. Successive improvements eventually led to the construction of an instrument designed exclusively for endoscopy of the rectum and sigmoid colon (Bensaude, 1907). Over the following years the rectoscope underwent no substantial change and thus an abundant and homogeneous literature accrued in which the available instruments and their use were described while the endoscopic pathologic nosography and corresponding endoscopic pictures of the rectum and sigmoid colon were codified, illustrated first by simple sketches and later by still and motion photography. The literature contains many excellent publications, some in monograph form.

Contents:

One.- Stages in the development of coloscopy.- Preparation for coloscopy.- Bowel preparation and dietary measures.- Premedication.- Duties of the nursing staff.- Types of coloscopes.- Disinfection of the fibrecoloscope.- Method of examination.- Coloscopic biopsy.- Coloscopy with abdominal transillumination.- Coloscopy through colostomies.- Indications for coloscopy.- Contraindications.- Causes of failure.- Complications.- Coloscopy form.- The normal colon.- Two.- Abnormal motor function of the colon (irritable colon).- Melanosis of the colon.- Diverticulosis of the large intestine.- Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.- Amoebiasis.- Oxiuriasis.- Tuberculosis of the colon.- Idiopathic ulcerative rectocolitis.- Crohn's disease of the colon.- Distinctive endoscopic features of idiopathic ulcerative rectocolitis and Crohn's disease.- Pseudomembranous colitis.- Sigmoiditis.- Aspecific.- Radiation.- Polyps.- Hyperplastic polyps.- Adenomatous polyps.- Diffuse polyposis.- Diffuse familial polyposis.- Juvenile polyposis.- Sentry polyp.- Satellite polyp.- Polyp in diverticular disease.- Leiomyofibroma of the cecum.- Polypoid plical hyperplasia.- Angiomas.- Varices of the large intestine.- Carcinoma.- Fungoid.- Infiltrating.- Ulcerated.- Polypoid cancer.- Extrinsic compression.- Endoscopic appearance of surgical anastomoses.- End-to-end anastomoses.- Suture remnants.- Ileotransversostomy.- Three.- Sigmoidoscopy with the fibrescope in a case of new-formed rectal bladder.- Emergency coloscopy.- Peroperative coloscopy (by A. Montori).- Coloscopic polypectomy.- Advantages of coloscopic polypectomy.- Equipment.- Technique.- Retrieval of the excised polyp.- Potential hazards of endoscopic electrosurgery.- Precautions - limitations.- Complications.- References.