Specialized Gastroenterology Clinics

Technical Clinic Information for Providers
We offer a number of specialized gastroenterology clinics, providing individualized patient care supervised by our team of gastroenterology experts.

To refer a patient, call 216-778-4700.  For in-depth information about our process, see Refer a Patient.

• Esophageal and Swallowing Center
• GI Diagnosis and Motility Laboratory
• Hepatitis C and Liver Clinic
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
• Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinic
• Nutrition Clinic

Esophageal and Swallowing Center

The clinic evaluates and treats patients with swallowing difficulties related to the oropharynx or esophagus. The clinic also evaluates and treats patients with various esophageal disorders, including:

• Barrett's esophagus
• Eosinophilic esophagitis
• Esophageal dysmotility, (such as achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm)
• Functional esophageal disorders (noncardiac chest pain, functional heartburn, globus and functional dysphagia)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Post-esophageal surgery disorders
• Pre- and post-bariatric surgery evaluations
• Other esophageal function and esophageal anatomic abnormalities

Patients are provided with a comprehensive workup that uses an array of diagnostic tests, including:

• ENT
• GI function laboratory services
• Nuclear medicine
• Radiology
• Speech pathology

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary therapeutic approach is offered. The clinic works very closely with general surgery, bariatric surgery, ENT, neurology, speech pathology and other services at MetroHealth Medical Center.

GI Diagnosis and Motility Laboratory

The GI Diagnosis and Motility Laboratory provides a full range of tests that evaluate gastrointestinal function and other abnormalities. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic modalities and can perform a variety of in-depth tests to assess gut function.

Laboratory staff also performs both clinical and research-related studies.

Hepatitis C and Liver Clinic

The Hepatitis C and Liver Clinic at MetroHealth specializes in the care of patients with:

• Alcoholic liver disease
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Chronic hepatitis C and B infections
• Hemochromatosis
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Other liver disorders

The Liver Clinic also provides evaluation and management of patients with cirrhosis and related complications who may need liver transplantation. Candidates for transplant will be referred to the Cleveland Clinic Transplant Center or the University Hospitals Transplant Institute.

In the rapidly developing environment of HCV treatment, our specialized and dedicated hepatitis C team employs the most advanced approaches to assist patients throughout the entire diagnostic and treatment phases. We offer:

• Disease-specific treatment
• Evaluation of medical history and physical examination
• Imaging studies, including Fibroscan, ultrasound, CT and MRI
• Laboratory testing
• Liver biopsy and paracentesis
• Nutrition
• Patient education
• Preventive health/vaccination
• Research studies for eligible patients

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic

The MetroHealth Medical Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) provides the highest quality of care for patients with IBD. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are complex medical conditions that present unique challenges requiring expertise and a multidisciplinary approach to care. The center features physicians and nurses from multiple specialties experienced in the intricacies and latest treatment strategies for all stages of disease.

Our services include access to the latest medical, surgical, and endoscopic therapies for long-term disease management and the prevention of disease complications. Every year, our program sees numerous patients with IBD, and we believe that this multi-specialty approach provides the highest care for our patients. Our team of dedicated professionals remain committed to providing high quality and easily accessible care.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinic

The ideal patient for this clinic is someone with fatty liver noted on imaging or someone who has abnormal liver function tests and a history of obesity, diabetes or glucose intolerance, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.

We offer evaluation for other forms of chronic liver disease; evaluation for simple steatosis vs. steatohepatitis; evaluation of underlying disease stage; and help with medications, nutritional and weight management referrals, and patient education regarding the disease.

We can perform transient elastography via Fibroscan, which can detect underlying fibrosis as well as degree of steatosis.

Nutrition Clinic

Patients with nutritional deficiencies due to an underlying medical disorder are treated at our Nutrition Clinic. We treat patients with:

• Chronic pancreatitis
• Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Gastroparesis
• History of surgery of the stomach, small intestine, liver or pancreas
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Short bowel syndrome

We offer a variety of different modes of nutritional support, including parenteral nutrition or enteral feedings. We administer nutritional supplements, including vitamin/dietary supplement injections.

We also offer dietary counseling so patients know what diet changes to make at home.