Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | May 2022

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AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT GI CONDITIONS

The specially trained physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital use advanced technologies to diagnose and treat a wide range of digestive conditions. One of those technologies is endoscopic ultrasound, an innovative procedure that provides a detailed view of the digestive tract to diagnose disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Affiliated gastroenterologist Shahrooz Rashtak, MD, assistant professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, utilizes this leading-edge procedure to make faster, more accurate diagnoses. He explains how endoscopic ultrasound works and how it can be used to improve digestive health. What is endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)? Dr. Rashtak: EUS, or echo-endoscopy, is a fairly novel technique which essentially combines ultrasonography with endoscopy. While endoscopy is used to visualize inside the digestive tract, EUS enables the gastroenterologist to examine gastrointestinal wall layers as well as the nearby organs, such as pancreas and liver. Think of endoscopy as a camera to see the interior of a chamber (GI) and EUS as a device to see through the walls and the exterior area. Since EUS has been introduced, gastroenterology has rapidly evolved into an interventional field that offers precise diagnostic and minimally invasive therapeutic procedures. How is EUS used? Dr. Rashtak: EUS is considered an advanced endoscopic technique performed by gastroenterologists who are specifically trained in therapeutic endoscopy. EUS provides certain anatomical details that are otherwise difficult to observe by standard endoscopy or imaging. EUS gives the

gastroenterologist the opportunity to visualize abnormalities that have been noted by medical history, lab tests, imaging or endoscopy. What conditions does EUS treat? Dr. Rashtak: EUS applications are constantly expanding. For instance, mass or cystic lesions

Advanced GI Diagnosis and Treatment in Lake Houston Area The affiliated specialists at the Endoscopy Center at Memorial Hermann Northeast perform routine colonoscopy and upper endoscopy procedures and offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatment for digestive diseases, such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, colon cancer and inflammatory diseases (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis). The newly expanded Center features four enlarged procedure suites where physicians perform EUS and endoscopic bronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedures. And the Center’s motility lab enables physicians to see real-time muscle contractions of the GI tract in the esophagus or small bowel. Early detection saves lives. Don’t put off GI screenings. The best way to stay healthy and avoid treatments and procedures is to stay current with preventive screenings, including screenings for colon cancer. Screening colonoscopy saves lives by detection and removal of early cancers and growths (polyps) that have the potential to turn into cancer. Both cancer and GI societies endorse colon cancer screening starting at age 45 for average-risk individuals, sooner for high-risk individuals.

Shahrooz Rashtak, MD Gastroenterologist

within gastrointestinal walls or organs such as pancreas and liver can be further distinguished by this technique. Additionally, cancer staging and evaluation of the bile duct for stones or narrowing is commonly done by EUS. If needed, a tumor or abnormal lymph node can also be sampled. Occasionally, large cystic lesions form after an attack of pancreatitis. They can get infected or cause symptoms such as abdominal pain. Using EUS, we can treat the lesions by placing a special stent in the cyst for drainage. What makes EUS better than other options? Dr Rashtak: Over time, EUS has evolved from being primarily a diagnostic tool to becoming therapeutic equipment that enables GI doctors to not only make accurate diagnoses but to also perform therapeutic intervention. There are several conditions that in the past could only be treated by surgery and are now treated with minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. For example, there is solid evidence that drainage of fluid buildups after pancreatitis attacks can be safely and effectively performed by EUS. And using EUS in this fashion provides a much lower risk of complications compared to surgical options. EUS has become the first line of therapy for this condition.

To schedule an appointment with an affiliated primary care or specialized GI physician, please call 713.222.CARE (2273) or visit memorialhermann.org and use the Find a Doctor tool.

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

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LAKE HOUSTON - HUMBLE - KINGWOOD EDITION • MAY 2022

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