Medicine does not stand still, new more technologically advanced devices appear that allow you to evaluate a person’s condition more accurately and informatively. Devices for conducting ultrasound research are also being improved. Currently, it is possible to make an ultrasound of the esophagus, the results of which make it possible to make a diagnosis. It is worth saying that this method of examination is by far the most effective and less traumatic in comparison with gastroscopy.
It is worth saying that now, through ultrasound of the esophagus, you can watch not only the stomach, but also the internal parts of the intestine. A few years ago it was believed that using ultrasound machines to obtain reliable results about the state of the intestine is impossible, now it will work out.
What is the method
Many people have heard about such a method of examining the body as an ultrasound of the esophagus, but not everyone can say something specifically about it. The essence of the method is that by means of a high-frequency sound wave propagating throughout the entire space of the internal organ, it is examined.
Ultrasound is reflected from the boundaries of the organ and displays the resulting image on the monitor. Decipher the result can only a specialist of the required qualifications. He sees what changes and deformations are present or absent in the human body. Now many medical institutions have the technique of 3- or 4D-image. She is able to give a clear picture in color to the monitor. Thus, doctors have the opportunity to accurately assess the condition of the patient and prescribe the desired treatment regimen.
Carrying out
During the ultrasound of the esophagus, the patient is in a prone position. A reclining position is also allowed. Thus, the examination is carried out in comfortable conditions that do not allow any discomfort. The only inconvenience is that a special gel gel is applied to the patient’s body. It is necessary in order to enhance the adhesion between the sensor and the body of the person being examined.
You should know that ultrasound of the esophagus and stomach eliminates the electromagnetic effect on the human body. Therefore, through this method, no harm is done. Due to this property, ultrasound can be performed both for women who have a baby and for children. It is worth saying that it can be difficult for kids to conduct any medical examinations, since it is not known what reaction the child will have. Is it possible to do an ultrasound of the esophagus in infants? Yes, since this method is suitable for children's perception. In addition, it does not cause any pain. The only uncomfortable moment may be the application of a gel to the skin of a child. But, as a rule, doctors with experience easily bypass this point, namely, they make it so that the child does not focus his attention on the gel, which is applied to the skin.
In what cases is ultrasound prescribed
As a rule, an ultrasound examination is prescribed to patients to clarify their diagnosis. The fact is that there are cases when the patient describes his symptoms in such a way that the doctor has doubts about the diagnosis. Then the patient is given a referral to ultrasound, according to the results of which the doctor becomes clear about the picture of his internal organs.
Ultrasound scan
It also happens that the patient, due to his childhood, cannot describe the reasons for his concern. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the esophagus in the child. In addition to the above cases of the appointment of this type of examination, it is done to infants. In this embodiment, it is practically the only possible way to determine the cause of the baby's anxiety. It should be said that due to technological progress, doctors have the opportunity to diagnose the disease with a high degree of accuracy.
For example, a problem such as regurgitation after feeding a large volume of a baby, can be the reason for sending him to an ultrasound examination. Of course, this is done after examining the baby by all specialists. If none of them gives a conclusion that the baby has any pathology, and abundant spitting up remains, then the only way to find out what is the reason for such an organism reaction is to conduct an ultrasound examination. You should know that in this age period, gastroendoscopy is not performed.
What the study shows
For people who have reached adulthood, a referring doctor can give a referral to an ultrasound if the patient has several indications for this type of examination. You should be aware that several diseases of the esophagus can be detected. What does this study show? On the monitor you can see signs of pathologies such as:
- A hernia of the diaphragm, namely its esophageal opening.
- Esophagitis. This concept refers to various inflammations that occur in the human esophagus.
- Defects associated with the esophagus of the human body.
- Diverticulums. These are bags of hernial nature.
- Ulcer.
- Gastritis.
- Oncological processes.
- Stenosis.
- Bowel obstruction.
- Violation of the structure of the stomach.
- Appendicitis.
- Crohn's disease.
- Lymphadenitis
- Tumors
- Hemorrhage.
- Ascites.
- The stones.
- Incontinence.
- Constipation
- Violations in the structure of the rectum.
Ultrasound of the esophagus. Preparation and recommendations before undergoing ultrasound examination
You should know that preparation for ultrasound is necessary in all cases, regardless of which body they are looking at. At its core, the recommendations that a patient must follow before ultrasound are fairly simple. But they should not be neglected, since non-compliance with these requirements can distort the results of the examination. And this will lead to the fact that an inaccurate diagnosis will be made.
There are several preparatory steps:
- First of all, two days before the estimated time for an ultrasound scan on the gastrointestinal tract, the patient must begin to follow a special diet. It lies in the fact that from his diet such products are excluded that can cause the appearance of gases and flatulence. The list of these food products includes: beans, peas, cabbage, brown bread, sodas and spirits, raw vegetables, fruits.
- No need to eat before an ultrasound scan. The time to limit for eating is from 10 to 12 hours at least. The patient should see what time of day the procedure is scheduled. If this is the early morning hours, then you need to finish eating at 20:00. When the ultrasound is scheduled for the day or evening, you will have to endure and do not eat all day. This rule does not apply to children. If the child is older, then you can limit him to eat at least 4 hours before the examination time. As for children who are in infancy, they should not be limited in feeding and you can come for an ultrasound at any time.
- It is also forbidden to smoke before an ultrasound. This is due to the fact that the examination should be carried out on an absolutely empty stomach. You also can’t drink anything. In this case, there may be exceptions. They refer to those patients who cannot tolerate starvation, namely they have stomach pains. Such people are allowed to drink some warm sweet tea. Its dose should not exceed half a glass. It is also allowed to eat one cookie. It must be dry.
- If an ultrasound examination is done to study the small intestine, then the patient needs to additionally cleanse it.
Important points in the procedure
In the case when the doctor gives a referral for ultrasound, it is his responsibility to give advice to the patient about what preparatory moments he needs to carry out. The attending doctor gives recommendations based on the individual characteristics of the patient.
When a person undergoes an ultrasound of the stomach, during the procedure he will be asked to drink a certain amount of water. This measure is necessary for a more accurate examination. The fact is that during the filling of the stomach with fluid, its walls stretch. Then the picture on the monitor becomes clearer. In addition, the rate of water entering the stomach is estimated. According to this indicator, we can draw conclusions about the presence or absence of any pathologies in the body. It is also possible to introduce contrast fluid into the body. Usually, when performing an ultrasound, the patient lies on his back. However, perhaps he will be asked to turn on his side.
Features of ultrasound in a child
As mentioned above, ultrasound for children provides a unique opportunity to obtain data on the state of their body. The fact is that babies cannot describe the symptoms on the basis of which they will be diagnosed. And through ultrasound of the esophagus and stomach in a child, a doctor has a way to determine which pathology is bothering.
When preparing a child for the procedure, you must follow a diet. It is also recommended to limit it to food intake, at least for several hours before the procedure. An important point is the psychological preparation of the baby. Parents should have a conversation with him, it is better to clearly demonstrate how an ultrasound examination is conducted.
Conclusion
Now you know what an ultrasound of the esophagus is, how to do this procedure. Our article gives advice on how to prepare for the study.