The Digestive Disease Center at Missouri Baptist Medical Center has a national reputation for excellence. Located on the fifth floor of building D, its physician staff members include gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, and pulmonologists. Registered professional nurses, medical imaging technologists, and endoscopy technicians working in the Digestive Disease Center have received specialized education in this area of gastroenterology and the performance of related procedures.

We manage and treat a comprehensive range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions including:

• Cancer -- Diagnosis and treatment of various cancers in the gastrointestinal tract including but not limited to the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, and pancreas.
• Liver & Pancreatic Diseases -- Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the liver and pancreas including but not limited to primary sclerosing cholangitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, pancreatitis, hepatitis and gallbladder disease.
• Difficulty Swallowing & Chronic Heartburn -- Diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders including but non limited to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motor disorders.
• Stomach and Small Bowel Disorders-- Diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disorders and malabsorption syndromes that impair food absorption such as celiac and tropical sprue.
• Routine Colon Cancer Screenings

We offer a comprehensive array of diagnostic and therapeutic tests which include Endoscopy -- a procedure that provides direct visualization of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus.

• Colonoscopy -- Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your physician to examine the lining of the colon (large intestine) for abnormalities by inserting a flexible tube, called a colonoscope, into the anus and advancing it into the colon. Areas needing specific evaluation may be biopsied. If polyps are detected they can be removed and screened for colon cancer.
• Upper GI Endoscopy -- Upper GI endoscopy is a procedure used to examine the upper intestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and first portion of the small intestine (duodenum). A small, flexible tube (upper endoscope) is inserted through the mouth. Upper GI endoscopy is used for both the diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) -- EUS is an endoscopic procedure that combines ultrasound technology with traditional endoscopy exams to evaluate the lining of the upper and lower GI tract as well as internal organs that lie next to the GI tract. EUS is used for the evaluation and diagnosis of abnormalities such as diseases of the pancreas and cancers.
• Video Capsule Endoscopy-- The patient swallows a pill sized video capsule that transmits images of the lining of the middle part of the GI tract to a sensor device which is worn around the patient’s abdomen for approximately 8 hours. These images are reviewed by a physician and can assist in determining the causes for symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding or anemia.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) -- ERCP is used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver. A catheter with dye is passed through the endoscope to inject the bile and pancreatic ducts. X-rays are then taken to see if any abnormalities of these ducts are present. ERCP provides valuable information that assists the physician to determine what interventions may be necessary.
• Esophageal pH Monitoring (24 hours) --  An outpatient procedure to measure the level of acidity (pH) in the esophagus. A small flexible catheter is inserted into the nose and advanced into the esophagus.  This catheter has sensors that are sensitive to pH, and records pH tracings in 2 different areas of the esophagus simultaneously for a 24 hour period.  The patient goes home overnight with the catheter in place, and returns the next day for catheter removal.  Information from this test is helpful in managing acid reflux.
• Esophageal Catheterless pH Testing (48 hours) -- A small device is pinched into the lining of the esophagus immediately following the completion of an upper endoscopy. This device communicates with a pager type unit which monitors pH tracings in the esophagus over a 48 hour period. The device in the esophagus falls off within 7-10days, and is capable of recording pH in a single area of the esophagus. Information from this test is helpful in managing acid reflux.
• Esophageal Manometry --  A small flexible catheter is inserted into the nose and advanced into the esophagus to obtain pressure readings that are interpreted by a physician. This test is used to identify causes related to swallowing problems, and is commonly performed prior to antireflux surgery.