Intestinal ultrasound

Abdominal pain, bloating, spasms, unstable stool, or discomfort after eating should not be ignored. Such symptoms may be associated with impaired bowel function, an inflammatory process, or changes in peristalsis. To clarify the cause of the complaints, the doctor may recommend bowel ultrasound — a painless and non-invasive examination that helps assess the condition of the organ.

Bowel ultrasound in Kyiv at the «Oxford Medical» medical center is performed on modern expert-class equipment, which makes it possible to obtain accurate and informative results. To undergo the examination, schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you.

Ultrasound may be appropriate if there is suspicion of an inflammatory process, impaired peristalsis, bowel dyskinesia, fluid accumulation, or other changes that affect the functioning of the digestive system. During the examination, individual sections of the bowel can be assessed, in particular the small and large intestine.

If the complaints may be associated not only with the bowel, the doctor may advise additional examinations. For example, in some cases, ultrasound of the retroperitoneal organs is appropriate, which helps assess the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and other structures of this anatomical area. Such an examination may be useful when pain in the abdomen or lower back has a non-obvious cause and requires a broader diagnostic assessment.

It is important to understand that ultrasound is not always the only method of bowel diagnostics. If necessary, the doctor may recommend laboratory tests, endoscopic or other instrumental examinations in order to comprehensively assess the gastrointestinal tract and determine the correct treatment tactics.

Bowel ultrasound is considered a safe examination method, since it has no radiation exposure and does not require invasive intervention. There are usually no absolute contraindications to its performance, so the examination can be performed for adults, children, older people, and pregnant women if there are indications.

It may be recommended to temporarily postpone the examination if there is:

• pronounced abdominal bloating, which significantly complicates the examination;
• acute pain, because of which it is difficult for the patient to lie during the procedure;
• skin damage, burns, or rashes in the area where the gel is applied;
• recently performed procedures, after which the doctor advises maintaining a pause before ultrasound.

It is also important to take into account the limitations of the method itself. Due to the presence of gas in the bowel, some areas may be visualized worse, so quality preparation is of great importance. Also, ultrasound does not allow a detailed examination of the bowel mucosa from the inside or taking material for biopsy. That is why, with certain symptoms, the doctor may recommend additional examinations, in particular colonoscopy.

Bowel ultrasound: preparation for the examination

Proper preparation for bowel ultrasound helps reduce the amount of gas in the bowel and improve the quality of visualization. Usually, preparation begins 2–3 days before the examination, but exact recommendations may differ depending on the symptoms, the patient’s age, and the purpose of the examination.

A few days before the ultrasound, it is advisable to temporarily limit foods that may increase gas formation:

• legumes, cabbage, fresh vegetables and fruits in large quantities;
• black bread, rich pastry, sweets, and baked goods;
• milk, if it causes bloating or discomfort;
• carbonated drinks, alcohol, fatty and fried dishes.

The doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that during this period you can consume light food that is well digested: porridges cooked in water, lean meat or fish, light soups, baked or boiled dishes. On the eve of the examination, dinner should be light, without foods that provoke bloating.

On the day of the examination, it is usually recommended to come on an empty stomach, especially if the ultrasound is performed in the morning. If the procedure is scheduled for the second half of the day, the last light meal should preferably be taken no later than 6–8 hours before the examination.

Bowel ultrasound is performed through the anterior abdominal wall. The patient lies down on the couch, frees the abdominal area from clothing, after which the doctor applies a special gel to the skin and gradually moves the transducer over different areas of the abdomen. The procedure is painless and usually lasts about 15–30 minutes.

During ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract, the doctor assesses the intestinal loops, the thickness of the intestinal wall, the motor activity of the bowel, the presence of fluid, and the condition of the surrounding tissues. If necessary, the patient may be asked to turn onto the side, change body position, take a deep breath, or briefly hold the breath.

After bowel ultrasound is performed, the conclusion is given to the patient in hand or sent in electronic format. In it, the doctor describes the examination results and the changes that were seen during the ultrasound. The final diagnosis is established by the doctor, but not only based on the ultrasound results, but taking into account complaints, tests, and other examinations.

For bowel ultrasound, the price at the «Oxford Medical» medical center is affordable for most patients. This is a basic examination that is often prescribed during primary diagnostics for complaints from the digestive system.

You can find out the cost of bowel ultrasound and prices for other medical services here. If you need to undergo an examination, you can schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you by the phone number indicated on the website or by requesting a callback.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

• EFSUMB Guidelines & Recommendations
• US National Library of Medicine / PubMed
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists