An ultrasound examination of the intestine is an indication for a clinical and endoscopic sign of its disease, as well as for monitoring treatment in a dispensary and during a routine examination. How do ultrasound of the intestine, not everyone knows, so we will understand why this procedure is needed and how it is carried out. It should be clarified that an ultrasound examination of the intestine is only an additional diagnostic tool, since it cannot replace the basic methods of visualizing the intestinal tract.
Intestinal structure
The intestine is a very important part of the gastrointestinal tract, it originates from the sphincter of the stomach and ends with the posterior opening of the rectum. In the intestine, there are many processes associated with the digestion and absorption of food, the production of hormones and participation in the immune system. It is supplied with blood by the upper and lower mesenteric arteries, and the veins of the same name take this blood.
The intestine includes the small and large intestines, the walls of which are slightly different in structure. The mucous membrane with the submucosa is the inner layer, the muscular membrane is the middle, and the serous membrane is the outer. Outgrowths resembling villi are located on the mucous membrane of the small intestine . It is thanks to these outgrowths that the suction surface increases many times. There are no villi on the inner walls of the large intestine .
Features of intestinal ultrasound
The main ultrasonic sign of intestinal disease is a thickening of its walls, which is not always specific. Ultrasound examination of the intestine seems to be a very time-consuming task and requires a sufficient level of qualification from the specialist performing the procedure. Of great importance is the resolution of the equipment with which the study is conducted. For example, in order to diagnose appendicitis and assess the intestinal wall thickness, it is necessary to use sensors with a frequency of 5 to 7.5 MHz with an enlarged image. If a thickening of the wall is detected, there is a need to use a scanner with scaling and high resolution to determine the diameter of the lumen in the intestine and the fluid inside it.
After doing an ultrasound of the intestine, decipher the obtained data. You need to be careful here, as sometimes the results are misinterpreted. So, for example, Crohn’s disease and severe infectious colitis have similar symptoms. Histological, endoscopic or radiographic examination in case of insufficiency of facts should be accompanied by an ultrasound of the intestine. How to prepare for ultrasound, we will consider further.
Preparation for the procedure
There are diagnostic methods for which special training is not required. In this case, it is simply necessary to comply with certain conditions before the intestinal ultrasound procedure. How to cleanse the body before surgery, so you need to get rid of excess accumulated in the intestine. This applies primarily to air, which makes scanning difficult. For this, a special three-day diet is prescribed for the patient, which helps to get rid of gases and reduce their formation. You need to exclude products such as:
- raw fruits and vegetables;
- bread, especially black;
- dairy products;
- confectionery.
Allowed: all types of cereal porridge, chicken and beef, low-fat fish, small eggs and cheese. Usually, before a bowel ultrasound is done, a diet is prescribed to the patient. It is set in such a way that food is taken fractionally and in small portions.
As for the water balance, daily it is recommended to drink up to one and a half liters of any liquid (water, tea, compote, juices, etc.). If necessary, the attending physician prescribes drugs to reduce gas formation and improve digestion.
Many are interested in the question of whether an intestinal ultrasound is done by adults on an empty stomach. It is not at all necessary to appoint morning hours for the procedure (before breakfast). You can choose the time to visit the ultrasound room yourself, the main thing is that after the last meal at least five hours have passed.
Since an intestinal ultrasound is done, having previously cleaned it, you should abandon candy, chewing gum and cigarettes. It is also undesirable to take antispasmodics before the procedure.
How is an ultrasound of the intestine
If necessary, to identify the dynamics of changes in the gastrointestinal tract and track various diseases, an ultrasound of the intestine is prescribed. Where is this procedure done? There are many clinics and medical centers providing ultrasound services.
Like any other ultrasound, ultrasound diagnostics of the intestine implies the patient is lying on the couch. A gel conductor is applied to the test area and the sensor begins to drive along the body surface. The image appears on the monitor screen. After the procedure, the remaining gel is removed with a napkin or towel. This method is also called transabdominal. Is an intestinal ultrasound done in another way? There is a second method for conducting an ultrasound diagnosis of the intestine through the rectum, called endorectal. During the study, a small sensor is introduced, which minimizes the pain of the procedure.
How is an intestinal ultrasound performed for children
The procedure for ultrasound diagnostics of the intestines for children is absolutely harmless and does not cause discomfort. The only thing to take care of is the preparation of the little patient for the upcoming doctor’s visit (first convince him that nothing bad will happen). This is to prevent panic and tears in the ultrasound room. Choose a venue carefully. The reference for this will be patient reviews, prices for diagnostic services, as well as the qualifications of specialists. It is advisable to choose a clinic specifically designed for children - this is where doctors work who can find an approach to each child.
The algorithm of how intestinal ultrasound is done to children is no different from the procedure for adult patients. There are only a number of recommendations, compliance with which may in some way affect the results:
- children up to a year should undergo the procedure before feeding, or after the previous meal should take more than 2 hours;
- drinking should also be limited, at least an hour before an ultrasound examination;
- a child under three years of age should take food only three hours before the procedure, and older children should preferably refrain from eating for 5-6 hours before an ultrasound.
What visualizes an ultrasound of the intestine
With the help of an ultrasound examination of the intestine, you can detect such parameters as:
- size and shape of the intestine;
- internal structure of the organ;
- malformations;
- the presence of injuries and complications after them;
- inflammatory processes in the intestines;
- neoplasms of a benign and malignant nature.
Intestinal Diseases Diagnosed by Ultrasound
Using this procedure, you can diagnose the following diseases:
- appendicitis;
- inflammation or swelling in the intestines;
- hemorrhage;
- obstruction due to adhesions;
- Crohn's disease;
- diverticulitis;
- intussusception.
Ultrasound examination cost
The price of the procedure in each medical institution is different. It depends primarily on the status of the clinic and the manufacturability of the equipment used for diagnosis. On average, the cost of intestinal ultrasound in Russia is from 500 to 2000 rubles.