As one of only a few centers providing pediatric advanced endoscopy procedures in the U.S., Arkansas Children’s offers innovative care options to children in Arkansas and neighboring states.
Arkansas Children's Hospital's advanced and general endoscopy program combines highly trained endoscopists, leading-edge technology and a commitment to exceptional multidisciplinary care for children and their families. The program offers procedures not found elsewhere in the region, and the team is dedicated to expanding and improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for pediatric patients in need of advanced endoscopy.
Fellowship-trained pediatric therapeutic and advanced endoscopist Elaine Odiase, M.D., director of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s advanced and general endoscopy program and assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is the only pediatric-trained advanced endoscopist in Arkansas.
In addition to providing countless common endoscopic procedures, Dr. Odiase has performed hundreds of advanced procedures in her practice, including more than 500 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs). She and her team are leading the way in the use of ERCP to meet the needs of pediatric patients. The team also offers other advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures, including:
The gastroenterology program at Arkansas Children's Hospital offers leading-edge care to pediatric patients with a broad range of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic and nutritional conditions. The program's advanced endoscopy and biliary programs expand care options and improve outcomes for pediatric patients with rare conditions.
Many children in Arkansas previously needed to travel outside of the state to access advanced endoscopic procedures. Now, these children and their families can benefit from innovative care options close to home. In particular, the program has seen a remarkable increase in the number of patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases coming to Arkansas Children's Hospital for care.
"We frequently see cases of choledocholithiasis," Dr. Odiase said. "This condition often leads to excruciating pain, feeding intolerance and jaundice, and it can quickly result in a medical emergency. We use ERCP, which beautifully combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy, to help diagnose and treat choledocholithiasis, along with an array of other biliary and pancreatic diseases, such as traumatic bile leaks and even pancreatic strictures."
The Arkansas Children's Hospital advanced and general endoscopy program team is proud of the care they provide and the growth of the program so far. The team is looking toward the future with goals to further expand service offerings and add new cutting-edge technologies, such as endoscopic ultrasound and transnasal endoscopy. They are also keeping their eyes on what matters most - their patients.
"It's one of my greatest joys to see a young child who is no longer in pain smile at me," Dr. Odiase said. "That is something I get to see more and more these days here at Arkansas Children's Hospital.