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Gastroenterology

Trust the gastroenterologists at Mount Auburn Hospital to provide consultations and ongoing treatment for conditions involving the digestive tract, liver, gallbladder (biliary system) and pancreas.

Digestive Health Conditions We Treat

You’ll find care from a highly skilled team of doctors for a variety of digestive health conditions, including:

  • BarrettsBarrett's esophagus with nodule

    Barrett's esophagus – Damage to the lining of the esophagus caused by GERD
  • Cancer, including biliary, colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancers
  • Colon polyps – Growths on the lining of the colon
  • Gallbladder diseases – Gallstones, polyps, and bile duct obstruction
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – Irritation of the esophagus caused by the backflow of stomach acid
  • Hepatitis – Inflammation of the liver caused by an infection
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis – Chronic (ongoing) inflammation of the digestive tract that can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and other symptoms

  • AIP CBD StrictureX-ray of Autoimmune cholangitis

    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – Improper muscle contractions or spasms in the intestines that can cause pain, bloating or irregular bowels
  • Jaundice – Yellowish pigment to the skin caused mainly by conditions affecting the liver and bile duct
  • Stomach and duodenal ulcers – Sores in the stomach or duodenum, commonly caused by H.Pylori infection
  • Swallowing conditions - esophageal blockage caused by inflammation, malignancy or abnormal contractions

Gastroenterology Services & Treatments

Pancreatic cystPancreatic cyst (mucinous cystadenoma)

Choose Mount Auburn Hospital for advanced procedures to diagnose and treat complex gastronintestinal conditions.

Diagnostic Gastroenterology Procedures

To diagnose your condition, your physician may recommend one of the following procedures, many of which use an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end—to help him or her see inside your gastrointestinal tract:

  • Upper Endoscopy (EGD) - Examines the upper digestive tract - esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestine - using an endoscope

  • Bean colon polypLarge flat colon polyp

    Colonoscopy – Examines the lining of your colon and rectum (large intestine) and part of your small intestine using an endoscope
  • Endoscopic ultrasound -  Examines the intestinal tract as well as pancreas, liver, and lymph nodes
  • Enteroscopy – Examines your small intestine and stomach using an endoscope
  • ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) – Uses an endoscope and X-ray imaging to see inside the pancreas or bile ducts
  • Imaging tests, such as a CAT/CT scan, MRI scan, ultrasound and X-ray
  • Breath test - Detects lactose intolerance by measuring the amount of hydrogen you exhale after ingesting lactose

Small Bowel Video Capsule

If your doctor needs to see inside your small intestine, he or she may recommend a small bowel video capsule. You’ll swallow a pill-sized disposable camera that records images while it moves through your digestive tract. The images transmit automatically to a receiver that you wear on your belt and return to your doctor.

Liver Disease Center

The new Liver Disease Center at Mount Auburn Hospital focuses on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic liver diseases, including:

  • Viral Hepatitis (including Hepatitis B and C)
  • Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or NAFLD (which includes fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH)
  • Alcohol Related Liver Disease
  • Autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases (including autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis previously called primary biliary cirrhosis or PBC)
  • End-stage liver disease or Cirrhosis of the Liver
  • Pre- and Post- Liver Transplant Services (We are committed to identifying patients who may benefit from liver transplant and connecting them with a suitable transplant center in the area. We help them through the process of transplant evaluation and listing and can manage pre and post-transplant care.)

Contact information for the Liver Disease Center:
Phone number: 617-498-9550
Fax number: 617-498-9561

Therapeutic Gastroenterology Procedures

Your gastroenterologist will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits you. Many digestive health treatments use an endoscope. Depending on your specific condition, your plan may include:

  • Ablation for Barret’s esophagus – Uses heat energy from an electrode mounted on an endoscope to destroy damaged tissue and encourage the growth of new, healthy tissue
  • Endoscopic stent placement - Metal or plastic stents are placed into areas of blockage
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection – Removes lesions from the digestive tract using an endoscope

  • Quagenti bile ductERCP image of a bile duct stricture

    ERCP – Treats conditions of the pancreas or bile ducts using an endoscope and X-ray imaging
  • Fecal transplantation – Treats clostridium dificile (C. diff.) by placing stool from a healthy individual into a recipient who needs the healthy bacteria it contains to regulate his or her intestinal system

Compassionate, Patient-Focused Digestive Health Care

Count on your Mount Auburn gastroenterology team for support throughout diagnosis and treatment. You’ll appreciate providers who ease your anxiety by taking time to discuss your care plan and answer your questions. You can also expect the very best care when it comes to relieving or minimizing any discomfort you may feel during your procedure.

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