Oleg Katcher, MD

Dr. Katcher is well trained in full range of endoscopic invasive procedures and other gastrointestinal tests.

The following procedures are offered:

Colonoscopy              

Endoscopy (gastroscopy)

Capsule endoscopy           

Endoscopic ultrasound 

24-hour pH testing    

Ultrasonorgaphy    

Breath testing                

Colon transit study      

Infrared coagulation of hemorrhoids  

Colonoscopy: allows a doctor to look inside the entire large intestine. It is most often used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon, to look for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits, and to evaluate symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss.

Endoscopy: allows a doctor to examine the upper itestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum). It is most often used to look for causes of anemia, abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, weight loss and to evaluate for early signs of cancer.

Capsule endoscopy: lets a doctor examine the lining of the small intestine with help of a pill sized video capsule, which has its own lens and light source and will view the images on a video monitor.  The small bowel cannot be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or by colonoscopy. The most common reason for doing this test is evaluation of bleeding or anemia, and detecting polyps, Crohn’s disease, ulcers, and tumors of the small intestine

Endoscopic ultrasound: (EUS) is special endoscope that has an ultrasound machine at the tip. Using the EUS "scope", a doctor can place the ultrasound probe in the gastrointestinal  tract, very close to the area of interest, so that the best possible picture can be obtained. EUS has been shown to be superior to x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, CAT scans, and even MRI for looking at the local spread of GI cancers, for evaluating lesions in the GI tract that are below the surface, and for evaluating the pancreas, and the bile ducts that drain the liver. This procedure is very highly specialized and is performed by a gastroenterologist who has specialty training in this area.

24-hr pH test: is a procedure for measuring the reflux (regurgitation) of acid from the stomach into the esophagus.  Esophageal pH monitoring is used to diagnose gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) and to determine the effectiveness of medications given to treat acid reflux.

Abdominal ultrasound: is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the internal organs of the abdomen including the liver, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas.

Hydrogen breath test: 

uses measurement of hydrogen in the breath to diagnose several conditions that cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Hydrogen is produced when there is a problem with the digestion or absorption of food, or  when colonic bacteria move back into the small intestine, a condition called bacterial overgrowth. 

Colon transit study: 

is a test that helps a doctor select the best therapeutic option, based on colon transit time, for patients with severe constipation.

Infrared coagulation of hemorrhoids: is office-based treatment for hemorrhoids. It is preferred over other methods because it is fast, well-tolerated, and virtually free of complications. It is generally not painful and is usually done without anesthesia.