Endoscopic Innovation Differentiators

Overview

MUSC Digestive Health is comprised of nationally renowned specialists in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery. These experts provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment to patients with complex pancreatic and biliary disease, gastrointestinal cancer and pre-malignant conditions, esophageal disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases, liver disease, functional bowel disorders, general gastroenterology, and nutrition.

Digestive Health's Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is recognized as a worldwide leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Innovation in endoscopy has always been one of the pillars of cutting-edge medicine and MUSC Health has recruited gastroenterologists with national reputations for their excellence in clinical research and considerable experience in advanced endoscopy.

Specialists Offering Unique Treatments

Badih Joseph Elmunzer, MD, MSc
An Associate Professor of Medicine and The Peter B. Cotton Endowed Chair for Endoscopic Innovation in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr. Joseph Elmunzer specializes primarily in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Brenda J. Hoffman, MD, FAGA, FASGE, FACG, FACP
A Professor of Medicine, Director of endosonography program, and Lead of the GI cancer program in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr. Brenda Hoffman specializes primarily in endoscopic ultrasound and the treatment of pre-malignant lesions and early cancers of the GI tract.

The spectrum of advanced endoscopic practice at MUSC includes basic and complex ERCP, diagnostic and interventional EUS, and endoscopic treatment of premalignant lesions and early cancers of the GI tract.

Procedures Unique In The Region

• Advanced ERCP-based diagnostics for indeterminate biliary strictures, including choledochoscopy
• ERCP-directed therapy of chronic pancreatitis, including treatment of refractory bile duct strictures and pancreatic duct stones
• Endoscopic treatment of local complications of pancreatitis, including drainage of pseudocysts and debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis
• ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy
• EUS-guided biliary and pancreatic access & drainage
• Endoscopic closure of gastrointestinal luminal defects, leaks, and fistulae
• Radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of complicated Barrett's esophagus
• Endoscopic resection of complex polyps throughout the GI tract
• Endoscopic submucosal dissection
• Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
• Endoscopic incisional therapy for refractory strictures, diverticula, and sinus tracts

These procedures include:

• Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which allows en bloc (in one piece) removal of gastric and colonic neoplasia. This highly specialized technique is used in only a few clinical practices in the United States.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for laterally-spreading complex (or defiant) colon polyps and for complicated Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and early esophageal cancer.
• Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia and other motility disorders of the esophagus; an alternative to surgery for selected patients.

How to Refer

For consultation or to make a referral, call MEDULINE at 843-792-2200 or 800-922-5250, or fill out the Referral Form. 

Fax Numbers:

• GI Medicine (General), 843-876-4717
• GI Surgery, 843-876-4878
• GI Medicine (Therapeutics), 843-876-4715
• GI Medicine (Hepatology), 843-876-4301
• GI Medicine (IBD), 843-876-0372