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What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology is the study of the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus through to the colon. Gastroenterology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various problems of the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and colon.
What is Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy?
Gastrointestinal endoscopy is the visualization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by using a long, thin scope.
Our Team
Our staff of trained physicians and nurses is equipped with the best training and technology to address any of your GI concerns. Most of our physicians are board certified in gastroenterology with extensive training in diseases of the digestive tract and knowledge about the best course of treatment for you. Our nursing staff has a total of over 200 years of GI nursing experience.
Our Facility
With over 12,000 square feet, our new facility has 21 private prep/recovery bays and five procedure rooms, making it one of the largest GI labs in Kansas City.
 A key feature to the design is the private bay or "roomette." Family can stay with the patient before and after the procedure and wait there during the procedure. This arrangement enhances patient education and family involvement. In addition, the Endoscopy Lab, which is located just inside the Community Center for Health and Education, has dedicated parking spaces for patients and their physicians.
Our Services
Our Endoscopy Lab provides a number of services for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases of the GI tract including:
- polyps
- colitis
- ulcers
- cancer
- gastritis
- diseases of the liver
- hemorrhoids
- Barrett's Esophagus
- GERD(heartburn)
- constipation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- diseases of the pancreas
- hepatitis
The following are the services we provide to help in these diagnoses:
Colonoscopy is the visual examination of the large intestine (colon). Abnormalities such as inflammation of the colon, colon polyps, cancer, diverticulosis and other conditions can be seen. Colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to evaluate problems such as blood loss, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain and abnormalities that may have first been detected by other tests. It is a very important way to screen for colon cancer. During the colonscopy, we can remove polyps on the inside lining of the intestine, prior to them becoming cancerous.
Sigmoidoscopy is just a shorter version of a colonoscopy in which we only view the lower end of the large intestines.
Bronchoscopy views the air tubes in the lung using a flexible lighted scope. The bronchoscopy helps diagnose problems of the lungs. Samples of tissue are often removed and sent to the laboratory for further testing.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDs), sometimes called an upper endoscopy, is a visual examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, using a lighted flexible tube. This procedure helps the doctors find the causes of swallowing difficulties, vomiting, bleeding, gastro reflux, abdominal pain and chest pain.
During a liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the skin and into the liver. A small sample of liver tissue is then removed and sent to a lab to be examined. A liver biopsy may be done if you have abnormal x-rays, abnormal blood tests or chronic liver disease. This procedure can diagnose a liver problem, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis or fatty liver. It also aids in assessing the cause and severity of a liver problem.
Bone marrow biopsies evaluate if the bone marrow is making red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets correctly. Bone marrow is soft tissue found inside some of the larger bones of the body. A biopsy is a method of removing a sample of marrow for examination under a microscope.
For More Information
If you would like to find out more about our endoscopy services, please call us at 816-943-2722.
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