Memorial Health System’s Gastrointestinal (GI) Labs Offer the Latest in Diagnostics and Treatment

Memorial Hospital Central GI Lab: 719-365-5543
Memorial Hospital North GI Lab: 719-364-1773

At our gastrointestinal (GI) labs at Memorial Hospital Central (MHC) and Memorial Hospital North (MHN), we evaluate and treat gastrointestinal illnesses on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. These procedures are non-surgical. The MHC GI Lab handles between 350 and 400 cases each month in its four procedure rooms. The MHN GI Lab treats about 150 cases in two procedure rooms each month. Please note: Memorial Hospital North does not take patients under the age of 16.

Patients range from infants to geriatric patients. As part of the Memorial Hospital for Children in partnership with The Children’s Hospital, the GI Lab at Memorial Hospital Central has two pediatric gastroenterologists on staff.

» More about: Memorial Hospital for Children

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Procedures

The most common procedures performed in our GI Labs are as follows:

• Colonoscopy

During a colonoscopy, a flexible fiber-optic endoscope is passed through the rectum into the large intestine to look for abnormalities. Any polyps or abnormalities that are discovered are biopsied and/or removed.

The American Cancer Society has established screening guidelines for individuals to screen for colorectal cancer. The disease is highly curable when found early through preventive screenings.

Individuals should talk to their doctor about screening earlier or more frequently if they have colorectal cancer risk factors, such as a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease or strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.

» More about: American Cancer Society

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD

During this procedure a flexible fiber-optic endoscope is inserted through the mouth, passed through the throat and into the upper digestive tract. The lining of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and upper portion of the small intestine are checked for abnormalities including polyps and ulcers.

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography or ERCP

Again a fiber-optic endoscope is inserted into the mouth and passed through the esophagus into the stomach and duodenum. X-ray dye is injected into the bilary and/or pancreatic ducts so they can be seen on x-rays. Commonly this test is used to diagnose enlarged bile ducts and to remove stones or place a stent.

• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

This procedure, performed only at MHC, uses a special endoscope that can be inserted through the mouth and esophagus or rectally. The scope allows the doctor to examine the tissue for tumors and if found, use a fine needle to collect a sample for biopsy.

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