Excellence in Patient Care, Education and Research
The specialists caring for you in our Endoscopy Center are the same health care professionals leading the way in GI research. Procedures are continuously presented in our teaching facility and several studies are currently underway. This commitment to education and research enables us to bring the most current technology and care to your individual case.
Pioneering Treatments
Our pancreatic disease specialists receive national recognition for treatments of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and awards for outstanding patient care. We’re pioneering innovative new techniques to diagnose and treat diseases of the pancreas. Many patients travel from all over the U.S. to receive treatment in our Pancreatic Disease Center. Some of our services include:
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy capabilities
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP)
- Noninvasive imaging of the pancreas
- State-of-the-art surgical management of benign and malignant pancreatic diseases
- Autologous Islet cell transplantation
- Comprehensive, CLIA-certified (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act) laboratory services.
Our Highly-Trained Specialists Provide State-of-the-Art Care
University Hospital’s Endoscopy Center features a complete team of health care professionals to treat GI problems. Our team includes over 40 board-certified pulmonary, surgery, gastroenterology/hepatology and 25 endoscopy professionals. It also includes highly-trained intensive care unit and emergency room nurses, many of whom are GI-certified in advanced therapeutic procedures and who receive additional training as members in the Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.
Endoscopic Ultrasound – a Revolutionary Testing and Biopsy Technique
Our endoscopy specialists utilize Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), a revolutionary new testing and biopsy technique. An ultrasound transducer at the end of an endoscope enables the physician to evaluate the wall of gastrointestinal organs, as well as structures nearby, such as the pancreas, liver, bile duct, lymph nodes, blood vessels and more. This technique has revolutionized pancreatic testing by allowing physicians to biopsy areas of the body otherwise only accessible through open operations. Endoscopic ultrasound is also used for cyst drainages, some nerve blocks for pain, placement of radiation-therapy markers and other indications.
Endoscopy Unit
Using Advanced Technology to Diagnose and Treat the Most Challenging Digestive Diseases
Performing the Region’s Most Advanced Endoscopic Procedures
We use state-of-the-art technology to perform our endoscopic procedures with endoscopes that are smaller, brighter and more easily maneuvered, and produce clearer, sharper images. Most of our procedures can be done inserting small instruments into the scopes. Other endoscopic technologies we use include:
Innovative technologies enable our specialists to gain a better view of the GI tract so they can provide prompt diagnoses and treatment recommendations. These procedures are less invasive, so there’s less time spent in the hospital.
Our Endoscopy Unit features seven procedure rooms, a dedicated manometry room and two fluoroscopy rooms.
Specialists regularly perform these highly-advanced endoscopic procedures.
Breakthrough Treatment for Barrett’s Esophagus Pancreatic Disease Center
Barrett’s esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged by stomach acid. Changes in the esophagus can increase your risk for esophageal cancer. Current therapy involves close monitoring of the lining followed by biopsy to monitor any cell changes. Our endoscopic specialists use a combination of advanced imaging techniques, endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation treatments to remove the abnormal lining.
Endoscopic treatment of Barrett’s esophagus provides key benefits over surgery:
University Hospital endoscopy specialists often remove abnormal cells while performing the diagnostic procedure, eliminating the need for a subsequent endoscopic procedure.
We Specialize in Every Endoscopic Procedure, From the Most Challenging to Routine
Your colonoscopy may not be routine procedure to you, but it is to our endoscopic specialists. They perform a vast number of colonoscopies and other endoscopic procedures every day.
Some of the standard endoscopic procedures performed include:
If you suffer from nausea, vomiting, heartburn, difficulty swallowing or pain, your specialist may view your esophagus, stomach and first part of the small bowel (duodenum) through a scope passed through the mouth.
Provides visualization of the colon from the rectum to the cecum (beginning of the large intestine). Colonoscopies screen for colon cancer, bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, IBD, Chron’s disease or colitis.
Provides visualization of approximately eight inches of the colon to screen for colorectal cancer, evaluate persistent diarrhea or bleeding from internal hemorrhoids. No sedation is required for this test.
Provides visualization of the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts with the use of fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat bilary tree and pancreatic diseases.
A tissue sample of the liver is taken through a needle and evaluated for liver diseases.
Visual examination of the small bowel is used to find the source of chronic or undiagnosed bleeding.
Examines the esophagus using a capsule which contains a camera to evaluate potential GERD, erosive esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. No sedation is required.
A medication injection and series of limited blood draws are used to assist in the diagnosis of gastrinoma.
Drains excess fluid from the abdomen, which may accumulate due to certain liver diseases.
If you’re unable to eat, a feeding tube is placed in the stomach or jejunum to provide an alternative method of receiving nutrition.
Drains excess fluid from the pleural cavity (the space that surrounds the lungs).
A direct visualization of the upper respiratory system, this procedure may be used to collect specimens, biopsy suspicious tissues or place a bronchial stent.
If a GI-related health issue is discovered during your procedure, you may be referred to an appropriate health care professional on site for prompt, follow-up testing and treatment within our hospital.