A few days before preparing this post, I greeted a patient who was about to undergo her 5 th colonoscopy. I was the pilot for the 4 prior excursions. “You should’ve signed up for the rewards program,” I quipped. “This one would’ve been free!” Our patients, with rare exceptions, enjoy our light atmosphere seasoned with some humor. This does not detract from our seriousness of purpose and commitment to their welfare, and they know it. Our endoscopy team is comprised of outstanding medical professionals. I care for many patients for whom I have performed all of their colonoscopies, which may exceed 10 procedures. I recently performed an examination on one of my colitis patients who has unique findings which have remained stable for years. I know his colon as well as I know his face! Indeed, if I were shown a photo of his colon, I would immediately be able to name the individual. So, when we gastroenterologists c...
Over the last decade, I’ve shared many vignettes about many gastroenterology medical conditions, diagnostic strategies and treatment options. However, this is not a medical blog; it’s a medical commentary blog. In other words, these posts are not a resource for readers who want understand how the pancreas works or how best to treat Crohn’s disease. My angle would be more likely discussing why patient with Crohn’s might think twice before pursuing a second opinion. I don’t present the diagnostic possibilities of abdominal pain that could serve as a primer for patients. But I might point out why a CAT scan casually ordered on patient with stomach pain can tear open Pandora’s box. Pandora should have 'kept a lid on it!' So, in this spirit I’ve prepared a 3-question quiz for readers with the answers found at the foot of this post. Regular Whistleblower readers will cut through all three of them like a buzz saw Even t wo of correct answers ...