• Laboratory Tests
• Fecal occult blood test –It is used to detect the presence of blood in stools, that is not visible to the naked eye. This blood is called “occult” blood and could indicate colon cancer, hemorrhoids, polyps or other gastrointestinal problems.

• Stool culture – it is a test that detects and identifies bacteria that cause infections of the lower digestive tract

• Image Tests
• Barium meal- it is a diagnostic test used to detect abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach and small bowel using X-ray imaging

• Colorectal transit study – This test assesses how quickly food moves through the colon. It is based on patients swallowing capsules having markers, that are visible on using abdominal X-rays.

• CT scan of Pancreas –A combination of X-rays and a computer is used to check the pancreas for certain type of tumors, injuries, bleeding, blockages, and other conditions

• Defecography –. Magnetic resonance (MR) defecography is a noninvasive test that uses magnetic resonance imaging to obtain images at various stages of defecation to evaluate how well the pelvic muscles are working and provide insight into rectal function.

• Barium enema – A test that is used to examine the large intestine, lower parts of the small intestine and rectum using X-ray. Fluoroscopy, a special kind of X-rays is used to see the organs in motion, is often used during a barium enema. It helps to diagnose problems in the colon and rectum.

• Abdominal Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – is a noninvasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce pictures of the inside of the abdomen without exposure to ionizing radiation (x-rays). It helps diagnose abnormal growths or abdominal tumors.

• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)–is a technique for viewing the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct. It can also show the pancreas, gallbladder, and liver. MRCP uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to produce detailed pictures of these ducts and organs. It helps to show gallstones, narrowing or blockage in the bile duct or pancreatic duct, tumors, and inflammation.

• Oropharyngeal motility study– it is a modified barium swallow test, used to evaluate difficulty in swallowing.

• Abdominal Ultrasound – With the use of sound waves, this non-invasive test helps to diagnose conditions such as acute pancreatitis or Hepatitis B, and monitor Crohn’s disease (chronic Irritable Bowel disease)

• Endoscopic Procedures
• Colonoscopy – A colonoscope with a camera is used to view the colon (the large intestine) and helps to diagnose colorectal cancer, colon polyps, ulcers, inflammation, narrowed areas of the colon, etc.

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – It is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. It uses the combination of X-rays and endoscope for diagnosis. It helps to diagnose pancreatitis or cancer of the liver, pancreas or bile ducts.

• Sigmoidoscopy–It is a diagnostic test to check the lower part of the colon or large intestine (the sigmoid colon), close to the rectum and anus. It helps to diagnose problems such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, abnormal growths, etc. It helps to detect colorectal cancer.

• Upper GI endoscopy – is also called esophagogastroduodenoscopy.  It is used to diagnose and treat the upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract, which is the esophagus and duodenum. With an endoscope and a camera, video images are taken to diagnose any problems or to take biopsy samples.

• Narrow Band Imaging-it is an optical imaging technology, where the light of specific blue and green wavelengths enhances the visibility of vessels and other tissue on the mucosal surface. It is used for the identification of Barrett’s esophagus (a condition in which there is an abnormal (metaplastic) change in the mucosal cells lining the lower portion of the esophagus), in the identification of pit patterns to classify colorectal polyps and tumors.

• Anorectal manometry – is used to test the health and strength of the gastrointestinal muscles. It is used to analyze the strength of the anal sphincter muscles.

• Esophageal manometry –It is used to test movement and pressure in the esophagus

• Esophageal pH monitoring study – it measures and records the pH in the esophagus to determine the presence or absence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

• Capsule endoscopy – It is a diagnostic test to detect any illness in any part of the digestive tract. It involves swallowing a pill with a camera that takes images as it passes through the digestive system.

• Gastric manometry –It is a test that is used to measure electrical and muscular activity in the stomach. It helps in measuring the electrical and muscular activity of the stomach as it digests foods and liquids.

• Liver biopsy-it is a procedure used for making the diagnosis of abnormal liver conditions.

• Upper GI endoscopy

It is also known as EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). It is used to treat problems in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.  The upper GI tract consists of the esophagus, stomach, and the duodenum. An upper GI endoscopy procedure involves the use of an endoscope, a long flexible tube with a tiny light and camera attached on one end that inserted into the throat and miniaturized surgical instruments are used to control bleeding, remove tumors, remove objects stuck or open narrow areas. It is also used to do a biopsy.

• Hiatal hernia repair

Most Hiatal hernias do not show symptoms or cause problems. But, some patients with hiatal hernia may experience GERD, so the treatment starts with management of GERD by making lifestyle changes, medication. However, if the part of the stomach that is entering the esophagus is squeezed so tightly that the blood supply is cut off, then a hiatal hernia repair is carried out. A laparoscopic repair or Nissen fundoplication is recommended for the hiatal hernia repair.

• Anti-reflux surgery

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (muscular ring connecting the esophagus to the stomach). The normal function of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle is to prevent food from the stomach to enter the esophagus. But, in GERD, food, acid or bile moves into the esophagus from the stomach and the lining of the esophagus gets inflamed. A laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery called Nissen fundoplication is performed in the treatment of GERD when medication does not work.

• Gastrectomy

It is a surgical procedure to treat stomach cancer, in which a part or the entire stomach is removed. There are four types of gastrectomy depending the area of the stomach that is removed-Total gastrectomy (entire stomach removed), partial gastrectomy (lower part of the stomach is removed), sleeve gastrectomy (left side of the stomach is removed) and esophagogastrectomy (upper part of the stomach and part of esophagus is removed). Open surgery or laparoscopic gastrectomy is performed by surgeons. 

• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. It is usually removed due to painful gallstones. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves making small incisions in the stomach area and the use of small surgical instruments to remove the gall bladder. There are short hospital stays and greater recovery time in this minimally invasive procedure.

• Hepatectomy

It is the surgical removal of the entire or a part of the liver. It is usually performed for the treatment of benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) hepatic tumors. There are two types of hepatectomy-partial (part of the liver is removed) and complete (when the entire liver is removed and requires liver transplant).

• Pancreatectomy

It is a surgical procedure to remove a part or the entire pancreas. It can be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. There are two types of Pancreatectomy:

Distal Pancreatectomy-the body and tail of the pancreas is removed, which could be done by open surgery or laparoscopic surgery

Total Pancreatectomy is the removal of the whole pancreas, parts of the stomach and small intestine.

• Pancreato-biliary disorder treatment

Pancreatic and biliary conditions typically impact your liver, pancreas, gallbladder and/or the bile ducts. The Treatment options could be minimally invasive procedures such as ERCP, Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-used to crush stones in the pancreas and bile ducts using sound waves generated by a machine (lithotriptor) placed outside the body. Other treatments options could be laparoscopic cholecystectomy or Pancreatectomy

• Splenectomy

It is the surgical procedure to remove spleen from the body. It is performed to treat primary cancers of the spleen and to treat a disease called hereditary spherocytosis. Removing part of the spleen is called a partial splenectomy. Removing the entire spleen is called a total splenectomy.

• Esophagectomy

It is the surgical procedure to remove some or most of the esophagus. It is used to treat esophageal cancer. Sometimes a part of the stomach or lymph nodes are also removed to check for cancerous growth. It can be performed by open esophagectomy, where the surgeon operates through one or more large incisions (cuts) in the neck, chest, or abdomen. It can alternatively be performed by minimally invasive esophagectomy, where the esophagus can be removed through several small incisions

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP)

It is a procedure used for the treatment of pancreatic diseases. It plays a role in gallstone pancreatitis and complicated acute and chronic pancreatitis.

• Double balloon enteroscopy

It is an incision-less procedure performed to reach and treat less-accessible colon polyps or areas of bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. During the procedure, gastroenterologists use endoscopes to see the area of the body being treated. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy uses endoscopes equipped with balloons that inflate and deflate to pinch together the walls of the GI tract. By compressing the walls, the gastroenterologist can reach and treat less accessible areas.