Treatments & Procedures

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP is performed during an Upper Endoscopy and utilizes x-rays to diagnose and treat conditions in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. ERCP is performed under sedation and allows the doctor to perform treatments and take biopsies endoscopically.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy (PEG) Feeding Tube Placement

Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy is a surgical procedure in which a small incision is made in the abdominal wall, so that a feeding tube may be placed directly into the stomach. The procedure is performed endoscopically, and allows patients who are unable to take food by mouth to receive nutrition via feeding tube.

Esophageal pH Monitoring

Esophageal pH monitoring measures the pH or volume of acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus during a 24-hour period. This outpatient procedure may be used to confirm a diagnosis or evaluate the cause of GERD or other symptoms including heartburn, chest pain or chronic cough.

Esophageal Dilatation

Esophageal dilatation may be performed endoscopically to relieve strictures which may result from GERD. The goal of esophageal dilatation is to relieve dysphagia and prevent recurrence of strictures.

Hemorrhoid Treatment

Hemorrhoids that do not respond to simple remedies or lifestyle changes may be treated with rubber band ligation (in which rubber bands restrict blood blow to cause clotting and scarring), with injection (sclerotherapy, in which a chemical is injected) or with infrared coagulation, in which a hemorrhoid is destroyed using heat. Hemorrhoids may also be surgically removed.

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy

Wireless capsule endoscopy is a minimally invasive method for diagnosing the source of bleeding in the small bowel. A wireless capsule the size of a large pill contains a tiny endoscope, camera, battery, transmitter and light. When swallowed by the patient, the capsule will for the next eight hours continually transmit images of the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel to a receiver the patient wears.

After the eight hours, the patient returns the receiver to the physician, who can download the diagnostic images, and the capsule will in due time pass through the colon to be eliminated in the stool.

Colonic Dilatation

Colonic obstructions or strictures (narrowing of the large intestine) may be treated by dilation, in which a scope with a light and a camera is used to guide a balloon to the affected area. The balloon may be inflated to dilate the affected area, and a stent (a metal coil) may be inserted to keep the affected area open.

Pyloric Dilatation

Pyloric stenosis, a stomach condition in which a blockage has occurred, may be relieved by stretching (dilating) the area with a balloon. This endoscopic procedure, called pyloric dilatation, may be performed endoscopically.

Stent Placement (off-site)

Colonic obstructions or strictures (narrowing of the large intestine) may be treated by dilation, in which a scope with a light and a camera is used to guide a balloon to the affected area. The balloon may be inflated to dilate the affected area, and a stent (a metal coil) may be inserted to keep the affected area open.

Lynch Genetic Testing

Lynch genetic testing may be performed to screen for Lynch syndrome, the most common hereditary factor linked to colorectal and endometrial cancer in women.

Liver Biopsy (off-site)

A liver biopsy may be performed to help determine the cause of jaundice, unexplained liver enlargement, abnormal liver enzymes (often reported in bloodwork) or abnormalities in liver scans. During a liver biopsy, a small needle inserted into the liver is used to draw a tissue sample for analysis. A liver biopsy is generally performed on an outpatient basis.

FIT Testing

The fecal immunochemical test, or FIT tests, is used to detect blood in the stool, which may be an early warning sign of cancer. The test is generally given to the patient to complete at home, and return to the office so that the sample can be sent to a lab for testing.

Hydrogen Breath Testing

The hydrogen breath test, which measures hydrogen in the breath, is used to diagnose several gastrointestinal conditions, including celiac sprue, lactose intolerance, and bacterial overgrowth in the bowel.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

The Clostridium Difficile Infection, also known as CDI, is a very serious overgrowth of bad bacteria in the colon. In a Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) procedure, fecal matter (stool) is collected from a tested donor, to replace good bacteria in the colon of the recipient. Once collected, the stool is mixed with a special solution and strained, and then placed in the patient by enema, endoscopy, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Biologic Infusions

Biologics (medications that inhibit the immune system’s triggers that cause inflammation) may be used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease. Biologics are genetically-engineered proteins derived from human genes, and are often given by intravenous infusion.

Iron Infusions

An iron infusion can increase the body’s iron levels quickly, which makes it an effective treatment for severe anemia. Unlike oral supplements, iron infusions do not cause gastrointestinal side effects.