Ultrasound examination of the intestine is an indication for clinical and endoscopic signs of his disease, as well as for monitoring treatment in a dispensary and during a preventive examination. How an ultrasound of the intestine is done is not known to everyone, so let's figure out what this procedure is for and how it is carried out. It should be clarified that intestinal ultrasound is only an additional diagnostic tool, as it cannot replace basic imaging of 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 at the posterior opening of the rectum. Many processes take place in the intestines 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 superior and inferior mesenteric arteries, and the veins of the same name take this blood away.
The intestines include the small and large intestines, the walls of which are slightly different in structure. Mucousthe sheath with submucosa is the inner layer, the muscular sheath is the middle one, and the serous membrane is the outer one. On the mucous membrane of the small intestine there are outgrowths resembling villi. It is thanks to these outgrowths that the suction surface increases many times over. There are no villi on the inner walls of the large intestine.
Features of intestinal ultrasound
The main ultrasound sign of bowel disease is thickening of its walls, which is not always specific. Ultrasound examination of the intestine is a very laborious task and requires a sufficient level of skill from the specialist performing the procedure. Of great importance is the resolution of the equipment with which the study is carried out. For example, in order to diagnose appendicitis and assess the thickness of the intestinal walls, it is necessary to use sensors with a frequency of 5 to 7.5 MHz when the image is enlarged. If wall thickening is detected, a high-resolution zoom scanner is needed to determine the diameter of the intestinal lumen and the fluid within it.
After doing an ultrasound of the intestine, they decipher the data obtained. Here you need to be more careful, as sometimes the results are misinterpreted. So, for example, Crohn's disease and severe infectious colitis have similar symptoms. Histological, endoscopic or radiographic examination with insufficient evidence should be accompanied by an ultrasound of the intestine. How do they dopreparation for ultrasound examination, we will consider further.
Preparing for the procedure
There are diagnostic methods that do not require special training. In this case, it is simply necessary to comply with certain conditions before the procedure for ultrasound of the intestine. As the body is cleansed before surgery, so it is necessary to get rid of the excess accumulated in the intestines. This applies primarily to air, which makes it difficult to scan. For this, the patient is prescribed a special three-day diet to help get rid of gases and reduce their formation. You need to exclude products such as:
- raw fruits and vegetables;
- bread, especially black bread;
- dairy products;
- confectionery.
Allowed: all kinds of cereals, chicken and beef meat, lean fish, eggs in small quantities and cheese. Usually, before an ultrasound of the intestine is done, the patient is prescribed a diet. It is set in such a way that food is taken fractionally and in small portions.
As for the water balance, it is recommended to drink up to one and a half liters of any liquid (water, tea, compote, juices, etc.) daily. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe medications to reduce gas and improve digestion.
Many people are interested in the question of whether an ultrasound of the intestine is made for adults not on an empty stomach. It is not at all necessary to appoint morning hours (before breakfast) for the procedure. You can choose the time to visit the ultrasound room yourself, the main thing is toit has been at least five hours since the last meal.
Since an ultrasound of the intestine is done, having previously cleaned it, you should give up lollipops, chewing gum and cigarettes. It is also undesirable to take antispasmodics before the procedure.
How an intestinal ultrasound is performed
If necessary, to identify the dynamics of changes in the work of 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 involves the position of the patient lying on the couch. A conductor gel is applied to the area under study and the sensor is started to be moved along the surface of the body. The image appears on the monitor screen. After the end of the procedure, the remains of the gel are removed with a napkin or towel. This method is also called transabdominal. Is an ultrasound of the intestine done in a different way? There is also a second method of carrying out the procedure for ultrasound diagnosis of the intestine through the rectum, called endorectal. During the study, a small probe is inserted, which minimizes the pain of the procedure.
How an ultrasound of the intestine is performed for children
The procedure for ultrasound diagnosis of the intestines for children is absolutely harmless and does not cause discomfort. The only thing to take care of is to prepare the little patient for the upcoming visit to the doctor (first convince him thatnothing bad will happen). This is necessary to prevent panic and tears in the ultrasound room. Choose the location of the procedure carefully. The benchmark 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 know how to find an approach to each child.
The algorithm for how an ultrasound of the intestines is done for children is no different from the procedure for adult patients. There are only a number of recommendations, the observance of which may in some way affect the results:
- children under one year of age should have a procedure before feeding or more than 2 hours after the previous meal;
- drinking should also be limited, at least one hour before the ultrasound;
- Child under three years of age should eat only three hours before the procedure, and older children should refrain from eating for 5-6 hours before the ultrasound.
What does intestinal ultrasound visualize
Using an ultrasound examination of the intestine, you can detect parameters such as:
- the size and shape of the intestine;
- internal structure of an 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
With thisprocedures can diagnose the following diseases:
- appendicitis;
- inflammation or swelling in the intestines;
- hemorrhages;
- obstruction due to adhesions;
- Crohn's disease;
- diverticulitis;
- invagination.
Ultrasound 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 diagnostics. On average, the cost of intestinal ultrasound in Russia ranges from 500 to 2000 rubles.
