I15 -- April 2008 -- Treating GI Bleed

Intro: Imagine this: You find out you're bleeding internally and the only way to stop it is a big operation. Then you doctor tells you it's so risky you might not make it off the table. That's what the man you're about to meet faced until doctors at Mayo Clinic tried a less-invasive, experimental procedure. The technology allows doctors to see and reach inside the body where they couldn't before.

"IT WAS HIGH RISK. WE'D NEVER DONE IT BEFORE."

IN A PROCEDURE ROOM LIKE THIS, MAYO CLINIC DR. MICHAEL LEVY AND HIS TEAM USED TWO STANDARD TECHNOLOGIES IN A NEW WAY TO STOP BILL JANECEK FROM BLEEDING TO DEATH.

YOU SEE, CHRONIC PANCREATITIS CAUSED A BALLOONING OF BLOOD IN AN ABNORMAL VESSEL ON BILL'S PANCREAS.

"YOU CAN SEE THE BLOOD FLOW IN THE PSUEDO-ANUERYSM HERE."

USUALLY PATIENTS LIKE BILL GO TO SURGERY, BUT HE WAS TOO SICK. IF HE DID HAVE THE OPERATION AND LIVE THROUGH IT, LIFE COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT.

"I'LL HAVE TO HAVE A FEEDING TUBE FOR A WHILE AND MAYBE AT ONE TIME I CAN EAT SOMETHING SOFT ALONG WITH MY GALLON JUG OF LIQUIDS FOR THE DAY. THAT ISN'T REALLY LIVING. I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT."

SO BILL AGREED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON EVER TO HAVE A PANCREATIC PSEUDO-ANEURYSM TREATED WITH ULTRASOUND-GUIDED ENDOSCOPY. THE TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS DOCTORS TO REACH AREAS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT YOU CAN'T SEE WITH A TRADITIONAL SCOPE. IN BILL'S CASE THE STOMACH WALL WOULD HAVE BEEN A BARRIER.

"WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND IS THAT IT HAS AN ULTRASOUND ON THE TIP THAT ALLOWS US TO LOOK NOT ONLY AT THE WALL, BUT THROUGH THE WALL TO SEE THE VESSEL THAT'S BLEEDING."

DURING THE PROCEDURE DR. LEVY ADVANCED AN ENDOSCOPE INTO THE STOMACH. USING ULTRASOUND TO GUIDE HIM, HE DIRECTED A NEEDLE INTO THE LEAKING VESSEL. THERE HE INJECTED 99% ALCOHOL WHICH DESTROYED THE VESSEL AND STOPPED THE BLEEDING.

"I'M HAVING A REUBEN."

AND NOW BILL IS LIVING A FULL LIFE. AND CAN ENJOY AN AFTERNOON LUNCH WITH HIS DAUGHTERS.

FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: Since Bill's procedure, Dr. Levy has used this technology to help other patients with similar conditions. Endoscopic ultrasound is also used to treat other digestive problems such as bleeding ulcers. It is also used to diagnose and stage some cancers. For more information, visit our Website at …

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