Three organs produce digestive juices that help break down food: the pancreas, liver and gallbladder. A system of drainage channels, called ducts, allow these juices to be released to the next digestive phase. The biliary ducts allow bile to be released from the liver. Blockages, tumors, stones and infections can all develop in this intricate system, often requiring advanced GI skill to diagnose and treat the disorder.

Georgetown GI offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment procedures for patients with all forms of pancreatic and biliary diseases. These procedures include:

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), a highly specialized technique that uses an endoscope combined with contrast dye to study the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and the network of ducts. Because some of these opening are very small and difficult to reach, ERCP requires an experienced endoscopist. During ERCP, a diagnosis can often be made and the physician can perform certain treatments immediately. (These are described in the section called "Highly Specialized Testing and Treatment.")
Sphincter of Oddi manometry, performed during an ERCP to measure the squeeze pressure of this sphincter, which connects the pancreas and small intestine;
Per oral Cholangioscopy, a small scope is passed via an ERCP scope to examine the bile duct and pancreas duct and delivers treatment such as stone destruction under endoscopic control.
Electrohydraulic lithotripsy, a nonsurgical method for treating gallstones in the biliary tree that uses shock waves to break the stones into small fragments that can be passed through the intestine.

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Esophageal / Motility Studies Laboratory

The esophagus, a muscular tube about 12 inches long, connects the back of the throat to the top of the stomach and allows us to swallow food and liquid. Although we take it for granted, swallowing is actually a complex process involving much coordination between the brain, throat and esophagus. Georgetown offers this specialized lab for evaluating esophageal disorders and diseases, including chest pain not caused by heart problems, swallowing disorders known as dysphagia, and GERD –gastroesophageal reflux disease – which can cause heartburn. The lab also offers tests to evaluate problems of motility that affect other parts of the body. Motility is the process of moving food and waste products through the digestive system.

The lab offers advanced diagnostic testing that includes:

Esophageal manometry, which measures the squeezing pressure of the esophagus. This test can be used to evaluate swallowing problems, reflux or esophageal spasms that can cause severe chest pain that mimics heart disease
pH studies, which use a small probe inserted into the esophagus to help diagnose reflux of acid. Wireless Bravo pH testing is also available.
Anorectal motility testing, which measures the pressure of the anal sphincter muscle in disorders including constipation and other symptoms
Gastric acid analysis, DCGA, secretion, pentagastrin

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Gastrointestinal Cancer Evaluation and Treatment Center

Cancer can affect nearly every part of the digestive system, often requiring the diagnostic skill of physicians who specialize in GI oncology. At Georgetown GI, physicians have the extensive experience necessary to diagnose, and in some cases treat without surgery, many types of gastrointestinal cancers. They work in close consultation with the medical and surgical oncologists of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, nationally recognized as one of the nation’s top cancer facilities. Diagnostic techniques include endoscopy, enteroscopy and endoscopic ultrasound, described in more detail under Specialized Services.

Advanced treatment approaches include:

Argon Plasma Coagulation, an advanced treatment approach that uses an endoscope to deliver a burst of thermal energy, or heat, to a lesion, including tumors in the stomach, esophagus, and intestine. APC is a faster, simpler alternative to more expensive laser treatments.

Stents— tiny wire-mesh devices that can be inserted endoscopically into any area accessible to the endoscope in the GI tract to prop open areas that are narrowed by blockages or tumors.

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Liver Treatment Center

Our largest organ, the liver is also one of the most complex, producing chemicals to cleanse the body of waste and purifying and detoxifying the blood that passes through. There are many causes of liver disease, and Georgetown GI offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment of such disorders as:

chronic viral hepatitis B, hepatitis C
metabolic liver disorders, hemochromatosis, wilson's, V, etc.

drug-induced liver injury

alcoholic liver disease, and nonalcoloholic steatohepatitis fatty liver (NASH), PBC,PSG

chronic cholestatic syndromes and other causes of jaundice

Patients may also be referred for evaluation of:

elevated liver-associated enzymes,
liver biopsy and/or laparoscopy, and
candidacy for a liver transplant.

Thorough evaluation is the essential first step in determining whether or not a patient is a good candidate for liver transplantation. Georgetown GI offers the most advanced diagnostic technologies and nationally recognized experts in evaluating liver diseases and identifying patients for transplant. Patients are then referred to Georgetown’s Transplant Institute.

In addition, the center offers therapy for patients with chronic viral hepatitis and hepatitis B and C, as well as treatment for several other hepatic disorders. Because of an extensive clinical research program, the center also offers other therapies as they become available.

This diagnostic and therapeutic service offers comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation for the treatment of liver disorders, including acute and chronic viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver disease, chronic cholestatic syndromes and other causes of jaundice. Patients may be referred for evaluation of abnormal liver-associated enzymes, liver biopsy, and/or laparoscopy and can be evaluated for suitability for liver transplantation.

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