• 
  

  • Chronic diarrhea.

  
  

  • Lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

  
  

  • Abdominal pain.

  
  

  • Evaluation of radiographic abnormalities.

  
  
  
  
  • 
    

    • Ulcerations.

    
    

    • Filling defects.

    
    

    • Strictures.

  
  

  • Initial diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease.

  
  

  • Removal of foreign bodies.

  
  

  • Dilatation of colonic strictures.

  
  

  • Diagnosis and removal of polyps.

  
  

  • Histopathologic evaluation of pinhead-sized biopsy specimens.

Absolute

• 
  

  • Cardiorespiratory collapse.

  
  

  • Hemodynamically unstable patient.

  
  

  • Unstable airway.

  
  

  • Intestinal perforation.

  
  

  • Peritonitis.

  
  

  • Cervical spine trauma.

  
  

  • Toxic, fulminant colitis.

Relative

• 
  

  • Coagulopathy (prothrombin time > 18 sec).

  
  

  • Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/μL).

  
  

  • Intestinal tract surgery within previous month.

  
  

  • Food intake within previous 6 hours.

  
  

  • Bowel obstruction.

• 
  

  • Fiberoptic or video endoscopes.

  
  

  • Biopsy forceps.

  
  

  • Snares.

  
  

  • Nets and baskets.

  
  

  • Heater probes.

  
  

  • Electrocautery probes and snares.

  
  

  • Balloon-dilation devices.

• 
  

  • Anesthesia complications.

  
  

  • Bleeding.

  
  

  • Perforation.

• 
  

  • Biopsies are required because characteristics of many disorders may only be detectable under the microscope.