Baptist Health Gastroenterologists Host Visiting Physicians
Train on Advanced Double-Balloon Enteroscopy Procedure

Jacksonville, Florida, March 13, 2007 -- The Center for Endoscopy at Baptist Medical Center Downtown recently hosted several out-of-town doctors who traveled to Jacksonville to train on its advanced endoscopy equipment.

Gastroenterologists from several states and Costa Rica joined John M. Petersen, DO, and Kyle Etzkorn, MD, to learn more about double-balloon enteroscopy, a non-invasive technique used to evaluate and treat disorders of the small bowel.

Developed and manufactured by Japanese company, Fujinon, Inc., the double-balloon system features a unique scope that stretches or "pleats" the small intestine between two balloons, allowing the physician to examine and treat the entire length. Both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be performed simultaneously.

The Center for Endoscopy at Baptist is one of only four facilities in the state of Florida, and 44 in the country, approved to offer the double-balloon technique. Locally, doctors have performed approximately 150 procedures since its introduction at Baptist Downtown in mid-2005.

"Previously, small bowel disorders were difficult to diagnose with traditional methods. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans of the small bowel are not that helpful in diagnosing patients, and upper endoscopies and colonoscopies only allowed us to see the furthest points of the GI tract. The small bowel was just out of reach," says Petersen. "Double-balloon enteroscopy is a way for us to finally be able to find issues, confirm a diagnosis and treat the patient. We are now able to see the entire length of the small intestine and can biopsy tissue, remove polyps, stop bleeding and destroy tumors."

He adds, "We're proud to share our knowledge and experience about the double-balloon enteroscopy with colleagues and look forward to working with other physicians in the region who are interested in learning more about this advanced and valuable technology."

For more information, call 904.202.CARE (2273).