Abscesses can be seen with ultrasound very well The ultrasonic method can indeed be no mucosal changes, but inflammatory bowel wall thickening, stenosis , fistulas and abscesses identified. Abscesses are seen with the ultrasound even better than the endoscopy, because the ultrasound also allows a view into the adjacent tissue of the intestine. Experienced doctors can use ultrasound to also assess the motor function of the intestine.
The ultrasound is simple and does not burden
The other advantages of the ultrasound examination: Ultrasound is not stressful for the patient, can be done quickly and as often as required. The course of the disease and any acute complications can, therefore, well recognized by ultrasound. For initial diagnosis of Crohn's disease, the findings of ultrasound examination alone are not descriptive enough.
Diagnosis of Crohn's disease: X-ray, MRI and CT
With the widespread use of endoscopic procedures, the classical X-ray examination in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases has declined in importance. It remains important but still, if to be examined for a suspected Crohn's disease, the conditions in the small intestine. Radiologists and share in this case increasingly as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of the conventional X-ray investigation. MRI has the advantage that it entails no radiation exposure.
Sellink MRI suitable for initial diagnosis
For a gut-MRI, the patient a contrast agent to the intestine, the radiologist may well differ from the surrounding tissue. The contrast agent binds to the intestinal wall and makes the contours dar. In this double-contrast examination, including MRI Sellink called, can detect an inflammatory infection of the intestinal wall well. The Sellink MRI has another advantage: the radiologist can see not only the intestine but also the surrounding tissues well. Thus, for example Darmverwachsungen determine the peritoneum.
When bowel obstruction is suspected, contrast agent banned
For very specific questions - such as after a Fistelverlauf or an abscess - the radiologist takes an ordinary non-contrast MRI before. With a suspicion of a bowel obstruction (ileus), an intestinal perforation or severe colon expansion(megacolon) contrast agent is the administration of oral explicitly forbidden.Computed tomography (CT) may for a suspected abscess , bowel wall thickening and stenosis of unclear findings or to be. The CT is, however, as the conventional X-ray associated with exposure to radiation.
Diagnosis of Crohn's disease: gastrointestinal mirroring
The colonoscopy (colonoscopy) is the safest method to detect Crohn's disease. In these methods, the doctor a tube-like instrument (endoscope) into the digestive tract, which provides a tiny camera images from the interior of the organs. As can occur in Crohn's disease the inflammation in different places - in the small intestine, large intestine, and in rare cases even in the esophagus or stomach - is at the beginning of a gastroscopy (endoscopy) is necessary.
The gastroscopy, it is possible that the esophagus, stomach and the upper portions of the small intestine (duodenoscopy) inspect. At the same time, the doctor with very fine forceps, which run within the endoscope, remove tissue samples (biopsies) from the mucosa. For gastroscopy you need a hose to swallow the endoscope. A sedative such as diazepam and local anesthesia of the pharynx will facilitate the investigation. From the night before, you may take no more food to him.
The doctor may remove tissue samples from the gut
During the colonoscopy, the doctor pushes the endoscope through the anus into the digestive tract. With the help of the colonoscopy can be fattening and colon and to investigate the last inch of the lower small intestine. In addition, the physician - remove tissue samples - as in the gastroscopy.
Before Colonoscopy a thorough bowel cleansing is necessary. Since the intestinal dubbing is often perceived as very unpleasant, leading doctors to study in some cases, even under general anesthesia.
Interest Tino copy allows a view of the entire small intestine
Endoscopy has limitations when, as in Crohn's disease and the average small intestine sections must be examined. Recently there is the interest Tino copy and double-balloon endoscopy procedure, however, allow an inspection of the entire small intestine. called The Interests Tino copies, including enteroscopy, allows the duodenum (duodenum) and the upper portions of the following jejunum (jejunum) inspect. The double-balloon enteroscopy offers the possibility of stenosis(narrowing) widen. Both investigations are very time consuming.
A capsule endoscopy in Crohn's disease is only allowed if the physician has been excluded by narrow intestine. In this study, the capsule camera is also known as the patient swallows a miniature video camera. The camera records images during gut passage of the mucosa.