Endoscopic examination provides the most accurate information about the morphology of intestinal mucosa, although the pathological changes of the colonic wall, surrounding tissues and organs may be examined by cross sectional imaging modalities such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance ...
However, over the past few years technological advancement and the increasing experience of ultrasound practitioners has meant that ultrasound is now an important tool for visualising bowel pathology, giving practitioners the ability to diagnose a range of different pathologies such as colorectal tumours and bowel ...
Conclusions: Abdominal ultrasound presents high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in the diagnosis of colon cancer. The combination of an ultrasonography and a rectoscopy permits us to rule out the presence of a colorectal carcinoma.
Compared with colonoscopy and CT scanning, ultrasonography is easily available; does not involve radiation, bowel preparation, or sedation; carries no risk of colonic perforation; and is less expensive than the other methods.
Although ultrasound is clearly not one of the widely accepted screening techniques, this non-invasive and radiation-free modality is also capable of detecting colonic polyps, both benign and malignant. Such colon lesions may be encountered when not expected, usually during general abdominal sonography.
Colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a trained medical professional uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a colonoscope, to look inside your rectum and colon. Colonoscopy can show irritated and swollen tissue, ulcers, polyps, and cancer.
Results: Ultrasonography sensitivity for diagnosing of moderate to severe UC in comparison with colonoscopy was between 52.56 to 86.36% based on different factors such as new onset or active disease, BMI, gender and region of involvement. In all of the situations the specificity was 100%.
Because the sound waves don't need to pass through the skin and muscle to reach internal organs, endoscopic ultrasound offers a better view of the GI tract and nearby organs than abdominal ultrasound.
Objective visualization of the large intestine was used to assess constipation. Therefore, fecal retention among adults and elderly individuals was reported using ultrasonography. It was suggested that stool retention could be confirmed by observing the hyperechoic region of the rectum.
Transabdominal ultrasound is frequently used to detect complications of inflammatory bowel disease. It has been proposed that ultrasound can distinguish between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease based on the degree of thickening and changes in the layered structure of the intestine.
It is very accurate for looking at disease activity or intestinal inflammation. It provides exceptional information both about the status of the bowel and the presence of any complications.
Ultrasound can play an important role in the identification of small bowel obstructions in ED patients.
Ultrasound scans use high frequency sound waves to create a picture of a part of the body. They can show up changes, including abnormal growths. You might have one to diagnose a cancer or find out if it has spread.
The diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum, whether by plain xray, CT or ultrasound relies upon the detection of gas in the abdomen outside its usual position, i.e. outside the bowel lumen. Due to it's low density, gas will generally move in an anti‐gravitational direction to the most elevated areas.
Studies show that, for someone of average risk, the FIT test is a good alternative to colonoscopy. There is also evidence that people unwilling to undergo a colonoscopy will complete a FIT test.
A gastroenterologist may order this test to determine the cause of abdominal pain, detect gallbladder or kidney stones, identify the cause of abnormal blood tests, or monitor tumors.
For example, an abdominal ultrasound can help determine the cause of stomach pain or bloating. It can help check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors and many other conditions. Your provider may recommend this test if you're at risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Ultrasounds are routinely used in prenatal care and other procedures such as the removal of gall stones or kidney stones. CT scans are better used for detecting certain cancer tumors or other abnormalities within the body.
Having an endoscopy and colonoscopy is the first step in detecting serious diseases, some of which can be fatal, such as colon cancer.
Virtual colonoscopy is also known as screening CT colonography. Unlike traditional colonoscopy, which requires a scope to be inserted into your rectum and advanced through your colon, virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scan to produce hundreds of cross-sectional images of your abdominal organs.
Everyone's experience is different, but you can rest assured that the colonoscopy itself is painless. You will receive anesthesia so that you don't feel pain or remember the procedure. Most centers use medications that stop working quickly. That means you shouldn't feel any lingering side effects.
There's no debate that colonoscopy is still the most effective screening exam for colon cancer. The first-rate exam not only detects colon cancers with about 98% accuracy, but it also allows doctors to remove precancerous and cancerous polyps during the procedure.
Screening Recommendations
Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer.
Stool tests.
Currently, three types of stool tests are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to screen for colorectal cancer: guaiac FOBT (gFOBT); the fecal immunochemical (or immunohistochemical) test (FIT, also known as iFOBT); and multitargeted stool DNA testing (also known as FIT-DNA).