Gastrointestinal motility disorders, GERD and inflammatory bowel diseases have seen a significant rise in recent years, now affecting more than 30 percent of the adult U.S. population. To address this growing and increasingly complex patient population, the Cooper Digestive Health Institute has expanded diagnostic offerings to include several advanced modalities that allow for innovative capsule or catheter-based testing in an outpatient setting. This testing includes:
Video Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule endoscopy is an appropriate testing modality for patients with unexplained anemia whose source of obscure bleeding has not been identified by standard endoscopy. Images are captured through a swallowed capsule that transmits to an external monitor and records data throughout an eight hour period. Patients can continue normal activities during testing.
BRAVO RAVORAVO™ pH Monitoring System
An innovative diagnostic tool, this ambulatory pH monitoring system is used to identify GERD etiology. The BRAVO™ system utilizes a wireless capsule that is attached to the esophagus under endoscopy. The system transmits data to a small external receiver for a 48 hour period, as the patient continues normal activities.
pH–Impedance Monitoring
A highly specialized diagnostic tool, esophageal impedance is used in the determination of acidic, weakly acidic, and non-acidic reflux. A catheter-based technology, testing is initiated by passing a small catheter into the esophagus. An external recorder is then used to evaluate the level of reflux activity.
“The Cooper Digestive Health Institute is the only center in South Jersey that offers the BRAVO™ system and the pH-Impedance monitoring,” says Joshua P. DeSipio, MD, Cooper Digestive Health Institute gastroenterologist. “These testing modalities, many of which can be performed as the patient continues daily life, provide an exceptional level of diagnostic information for the clinician.”
The increase in capsule-based modalities requires not only advanced technologies, but also reading and interpretative expertise.“The increase in capsule-based technologies is transforming the diagnostic arena in digestive health,” says Steven R. Peikin, MD, Director of the Cooper Digestive Health Institute, and Head of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases. “However, the differentiating factor at Cooper is that we not only have the technology, we provide a superior level of clinical interpretation.”
The Cooper Digestive Health Institute also offers the only regional access to High Resolution Manometry for achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders. High Resolution Manometry measures pressure within the gastrointestinal tract, and is a highly effective new modality to identify the origin of complex swallowing disorders.
The combination of advanced technologies available at the Cooper Digestive Health Institute is unique in southern New Jersey. “Cooper is the only center in the region to offer this comprehensive array of diagnostic options,” says Dr. Peikin.
The Institute is also a leader in the field of interventional digestive health, with the only outpatient ERCP capabilities in South Jersey. The Digestive Health Institute is located at the state-of-the-art outpatient facility in Mount Laurel. Interventional therapies are under the direction of the acknowledged expert in the region, Adam B. Elfant, MD, Associate Head of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases.
For more information about capsule based technologies, motility studies or other Digestive Health Institute services call: 856.642.2133.