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Endoscopy Clinic
Contact the H.U.B Endoscopy Clinic
You would like to:
- Make an appointment for an endoscopy at Erasmus Hospital: rendez-vous [dot] Endoscopie [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
- Make an appointment for an endoscopy at the Jules Bordet Institute: accueil [dot] endoscopie [at] bordet [dot] be
- Obtain the results of your endoscopy or your patient’s endoscopy at Erasmus Hospital: SecMed [dot] endoscopie [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
- Obtain the results of your endoscopy or your patient’s endoscopy at the Jules Bordet Institute: micheline [dot] vion [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
- Make an appointment for a consultation at Erasmus Hospital: ConsGastroMed [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be
Endoscopy
A minimally invasive technique for your digestive health
Endoscopy is a procedure used to make a diagnosis and, if necessary, provide treatment through a minimally invasive approach, using instruments that allow visualization of the inside of the body (an endoscope). It enables examination of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and colon.
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The Multiple Uses of Endoscopy
It is possible to take tissue samples (biopsies), remove polyps or superficial tumors, treat bleeding, dilate narrowings (strictures), insert stents, treat conditions such as achalasia or diverticula, eradicate precancerous lesions (e.g., Barrett’s esophagus), and treat or prevent complications of cirrhosis (treatment of varices). Some procedures are combined with radiology or ultrasound, making it possible to see beyond the digestive tract and to treat biliary and pancreatic diseases.
To Detect or Treat the Problem
The H.U.B Endoscopy Clinic brings together all disciplines related to gastroenterology, hepatology, pancreatology, and digestive oncology, and works in close collaboration with the digestive surgery department. Its mission is to offer each patient the best minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic option according to their individual condition.
Our Healthcare Services
The Endoscopy Clinic offers patients a wide range of examinations at Erasmus Hospital (main site and day hospital) as well as at the Jules Bordet Institute.
Depending on the type of examination, sedation or even anesthesia may be offered. A consultation with one of the team’s physicians is always possible before scheduling these procedures.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the main procedures available:
- Gastroscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy): examination of the upper digestive tract.
- Colonoscopy: examination of the lower digestive tract.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): procedure on the bile ducts or pancreas.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): abdominal and/or thoracic exploration using an ultrasound probe brought close to the organs by means of an endoscope.
- Small bowel video capsule: exploration of the small intestine using a swallowed mini-camera.
- Enteroscopy: exploration of the small intestine for therapeutic purposes.
- Functional investigations of the esophagus: esophageal manometry and pH-impedance monitoring.
- Liver biopsy
- Proctology consultation
A number of other procedures are available and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis after consultation with a member of the gastroenterology team:
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD): removal of superficial tumors (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, and rectum).
- Cholangioscopy (retrograde or percutaneous): visualization of the inside of the bile ducts: biopsy of a stricture / destruction of stones.
- Percutaneous cholangiography: access to and treatment of biliary diseases through the skin when ERCP is not possible.
- Cystogastrostomy: drainage of a fluid collection/abscess under endoscopic ultrasound.
- Hepatico-gastrostomy / cholecysto-bulbostomy: drainage of the bile ducts between the left liver and the stomach when ERCP is not possible / drainage of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) under endoscopic ultrasound.
- Gastrojejunostomy: creation of a connection between the stomach and the jejunum using a stent under endoscopic ultrasound when the duodenum is obstructed.
- Extracorporeal lithotripsy: fragmentation of pancreatic stones by shock waves (treatment of chronic pancreatitis).
- Treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum
- POEM (peroral endoscopic myotomy) for the treatment of achalasia.
- G-POEM: endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of gastroparesis.
- Radiofrequency ablation: thermal destruction of dysplasia (Barrett’s esophagus), or under endoscopic ultrasound for small pancreatic tumors.
- TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt): vascular stent placed to relieve problems related to portal hypertension.
- Treatment of digestive tract strictures by endoscopic dilation.
- Placement of stents (esophageal, esophagogastric, duodenal, colonic) for the treatment of narrowings or fistulas.
- Obesity treatments: intragastric balloon, endoscopic gastroplasty.
- Treatment of surgical complications
Our Team of Specialists
Prof. Arnaud LEMMERS, Head of the Endoscopy Clinic
Head of the Digestive Endoscopy Clinic at the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B)
Gastroenterologist, specialized in interventional endoscopy
Department of Gastroenterology, Erasmus Hospital
Prof. Arnaud Lemmers specializes in interventional endoscopy (hepato-bilio-pancreatic endotherapy, endoscopic resection of tumors and polyps, treatment of dysplasia and Barrett’s esophagus, management of strictures, fistulas, achalasia, and Zenker’s diverticula).
After clinical and endoscopic training with Prof. Jacques Devière’s team at Erasmus Hospital, he spent time in Tokyo in 2015 learning the technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection from Prof. Yahagi. His research, as well as that of his team, covers many aspects of endoscopy, with the aim of further developing minimally invasive patient care. He served as President of the Belgian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (BSGIE) from 2021 to 2024.
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Member of the medical team of the Endoscopy Clinic
- Pr Arnaud Lemmers
- Pr Vincent Huberty
- Pr Sara Teles de Campos
Members of the H.U.B Department of Gastroenterology
Heads of Department
- Prof. Christophe Moreno
- Prof. Jean-Luc Van Laethem
Clinic of Pancreatology and Nutritional Support
- Prof. Marianna Arvanitakis
- Dr. Michael Fernandez Y Viesca
- Dr. Alia Hadefi
Clinic of Intestinal Diseases
- Prof. Denis Franchimont
- Prof. Leila Amininejad
- Prof. Anneline Cremer
- Prof. Claire Liefferinckx
- Dr. Clémence Vuckovic
Clinic of Functional Digestive Disorders
- Prof. Hubert Louis
- Dr. Cagla Gulkilic
Clinic of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation
- Prof. Christophe Moreno
- Prof. Thierry Gustot
- Dr. Nathalie Boon
- Prof. Delphine Degré
- Dr. Laura Weichselbaum
Consultants
- Dr. Vincent Bouillon
- Dr. Mélanie Brognet
- Prof. Myriam Delhaye
- Prof. Pierre Deltenre
- Prof. Jacques Devière
- Dr. Leo Duez
- Prof. Pierre Eisendrath
- Dr. Mariana Figueiredo Ferreira
- Prof. Philippe Golstein
- Dr. Sohaib Ouazzani
- Dr. Thomas Sersté
- Prof. Eric Trepo
- Dr. Haydeh Vafa Zanjani
Department of Digestive Oncology
- Prof. Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Prof. Anne Demols
- Prof. Francesco Sclafani
- Dr. Ana Maria Bucalau
- Dr. France Gay
- Dr. Laura Mans
- Dr. Rita Saude Conde
- Dr. Gontran Verset
The departments we collaborate with
The departments we collaborate with
Digestive Oncology
Digestive surgery
Radiology - Medical Imaging
Anatomopathology
Interventional Radiology
Nuclear Medicine
Intensive care
Anaesthesiology
Emergencies
Resources & useful links
FAQ about endoscopy
FAQ about endoscopy
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1. How is an endoscopy performed?
Our explanatory sheets for the different procedures are available in the Resources and Useful Links section.
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2. Do I need sedation or anesthesia for my endoscopy?
Some procedures require sedation or anesthesia depending on the type of intervention, to ensure your comfort, avoid potential pain, or allow more complex procedures. It is best to discuss this with your doctor or schedule a consultation to determine the best option for you (tel: +32 (0)2 555.35.04).
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3. How can I get the results of the examination?
Please provide the secretariat with the contact details of your treating or referring physician so a copy of the report can be sent to them. A copy is also accessible via the health network. The physician performing your endoscopy will give you immediate information right after the procedure. If biopsies are taken, a follow-up consultation may be offered to review the results.
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4. How can I make an appointment for an endoscopy?
Your treating physician can write a request for the examination, which allows you to schedule an appointment directly through the secretariat (without anesthesia, Erasmus Hospital +32 (0)2 555.32.92; with anesthesia at the day hospital, Erasmus/Bordet +32 (0)2 555.85.85; without anesthesia at Bordet +32 (0)2 541.37.20). You can also discuss the procedure in consultation with a gastroenterologist beforehand (+32 (0)2 555.35.04).
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5. How should I prepare for an endoscopy?
For a colonoscopy, the inside of the colon must be clean. Details of colon preparation are available in the Resources and Useful Links section.
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6. I take anticoagulants: should I stop them before the endoscopy?
The rules for stopping anticoagulants depend on why you take them and the type of endoscopic procedure planned. Discuss this with your doctor. Some information is available in the Resources and Useful Links section.
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7. Can I drive after my endoscopy?
If sedation or anesthesia is used, you are not allowed to drive afterwards. Please arrange for someone to accompany you home.
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8. For a procedure under anesthesia, do I need to see an anesthesiologist?
If your endoscopy is scheduled under anesthesia, a prior anesthesia consultation will be proposed. If you have had anesthesia in the past 6 months without new medical issues, a new consultation is not required. Discuss this with your doctor and make sure your previous anesthesia record is available.
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9. During the procedure, can I see the inside of my digestive tract?
Photos are taken during the endoscopy. At your follow-up gastroenterology consultation, you can request to see these photos and receive explanations from the doctor.
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10. How often should I repeat endoscopic exams?
The recommended intervals depend on the health issue for which the examination was done. For example, there is usually no reason to repeat a gastroscopy for mild esophagitis for several years. For follow-up after removal of colonic polyps, intervals are also well standardized. Discuss your personal follow-up schedule with your gastroenterologist.
Health Issues Managed by the Endoscopy Clinic