Find A Physician
Return to New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health Overview
More on New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health
Hospital News
Return to New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health Overview
More on New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health
Research and Clinical Trials
Return to New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health Overview
More on New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health
Health Library
Return to New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health Overview
More on New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health
Clinical Services
Return to New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health Overview
More on New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health
New Pediatric Motility Center Opens at Komansky Center for Children's Health
NEW YORK (Feb 1, 2012)
Thomas Ciecierega, M.D.
The NewYork-Presbyterian Phyllis and David Komansky Center for Children's Health at Weill Cornell Medical Center is pleased to announce the opening of its new Pediatric Motility Center under the leadership of Thomas Ciecierega, M.D., a specialist in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition.
Motility refers to the movement of the gastrointestinal tract involving a complex interaction of the gut, nerves, and the brain. Pediatric functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders are common and can range from relatively benign conditions such as constipation to more serious congenital diseases such as Hirschsprung's disease.
"As a pediatrician, I have a chance to care for the whole family and not only the patient," says Dr. Ciecierega, who is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College. "It is the greatest privilege. Being a pediatric gastroenterologist allows me to do what I love the most – to be able to help children with their ever-challenging gastrointestinal problems."
The Pediatric Motility Center is one of only a few pediatric motility programs in the country, and the only one in the New York metropolitan region to provide motility studies in infants, children, and adolescents. The Center provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for a range of gastrointestinal motility disorders with symptoms that include:
- pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- abdominal distention
- nausea
- heartburn
- difficulty swallowing
- vomiting
Disorders and conditions treated at the Pediatric Motility Center include:
- esophageal achalasia
- gastroparesis
- intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome
- anorectal disorders
- congenital malformations
- incontinence
- gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
State-of-the-art equipment is used for diagnosing various motility problems. These include:
- high resolution esophageal manometry
- high resolution 3D anorectal manometry
- pH impedance testing
- wireless video capsule endoscopy
- therapeutic endoscopy
- biofeedback
"Esophageal and anorectal manometry comprise about 70 percent of all the studies we do," notes Dr. Ciecerega. "These tests usually do not require sedation and the radiation, if any, is minimal. With older kids, we can explain procedures to them and perform them while they are awake. The parents can also be present during the procedure – they're also an important part of the team."
About Dr. Thomas Ciecierega
Dr. Ciecierega completed his medical degree at the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland. He then went on to train at Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey, where he completed a three-year residency in pediatrics. He then pursued a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin.
Dr. Ciecierega is trained in performing diagnostic and interventional endoscopic procedures in children of all ages with gastrointestinal diseases including colonoscopy, ileoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, polypectomy, liver biopsy, esophageal and pyloric botox injections, and esophageal dilatation.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Ciecierega is an active researcher and educator, and has presented his research at national and international conferences.
Contact the Pediatric Motility Center
For appointments and information, please call (646) 962-3869.
Visit us online at The Komansky Center's web site.
