St. Mary's of Michigan offers experts who deal specifically with the group of organs in your body that breaks down food - including your mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, and rectum. If you suffer from: • Heart burn
• Bloating
• Anemia
• Acid reflux
• Ulcers
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain   The Digestive Care Center at St. Mary's of Michigan provides a variety of diagnostic and treatment services for children and adults aimed at solving gastrointestinal problems.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

A dye is injected into the bile and pancreatic ducts using a flexible, video endoscope. Then x-rays are taken to outline the bile ducts and pancreas.
The bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas are the seat of numerous disorders. These can develop into a variety of diseases and/or symptoms. ERCP helps in diagnosing and often in treating the condition.
ERCP is used for:
• Gallstones, which are trapped in the main bile duct
• Blockage of the bile duct
• Yellow jaundice, which turns the skin yellow and the urine dark
• Undiagnosed upper-abdominal pain • Cancer of the bile ducts or pancreas • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

Endoscopy

In this test, a flexible, lighted viewing tube (endoscope) is passed into the throat and through the esophagus, the stomach, and the uppermost portion of the small intestine, or duodenum. Fiberoptic cables permit our physicians to visually inspect the lining of these digestive organs for any signs of disease or abnormality; in some cases, instruments are passed through the scope to obtain tissue biopsies for microscopic examination. An endoscopy may also be done therapeutically, for example, to remove polyps, control bleeding, or remove a swallowed object.
We perform the test for a variety of reasons:
• To detect abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, particularly in people with symptoms that have not been explained by contrast x-rays such as a barium swallow or upper GI series.
• To confirm a diagnosis of esophageal or stomach cancer or some other abnormality found on a contrast x-ray.
• To evaluate the stomach or duodenum after surgery.
• To remove polyps, widen narrowed passages, stop active bleeding, or remove obstructions.