Although the gastrointestinal tract is not amenable to direct inspection, endoscopy has revolutionised our ability to inspect, biopsy and diagnose.
In recent years, a range of further non invasive diagnostic techniques have been developed, to see what is happening in our digestive tract and they are all available in our London clinics.
In the hands of an experienced consultant, the images they produce can save time and save lives. The technology involved continues to advance, bringing ever greater precision to well proven methodology.
Ultrasound can be used to assess organs and structures within the abdomen, including your liver, gallbladder, pancreas, bile ducts, or spleen.
The technique utilises high frequency sound waves, similar to a ship’s sonar, or the natural form used by porpoises. As in their environment, an ability to differentiate liquid from gas and to measure fluid flow is useful to gastroenterology.
Ultrasound is helpful in seeing blood flow to abdominal organs, or looking for fluid collections and other signs of inflammation. It is all round tool for gastroenterologists, with instant results.
Computed tomography is a process where multiple x-rays, from different angles, are merged into images capturing cross sections of your body. The images can then be rejoined, to create a 3D view.
A CT scan shows a range of tissues, bones, muscles, fat, organs and blood vessels. The images produced are more detailed than normal x-rays, helping show inflammation, perforation, lesions, obstructions.
The scan might is some cases be aided by the use of a contrast agent or dye which may be swallowed or injected. This increases definition within the image, ideal to highlight tiny issues which can be so important.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRI is the latest of the main imaging techniques, using a combination of magnetism, radio waves and software to produce remarkably clear images.
It is a safe approach which can be used throughout your body, with an ability to help your consultant see significant detail within the digestive tract. The MRI field also offers procedures tailored to the needs of gastroenterology.
A form of MRI called magnetic resonance enterography can produce detailed images of your small intestine, to show inflammation, or bleeding. Bile ducts can be checked for stones and inflammatory bowel disease characterised. MRI is evolving as a powerful, sensitive technique for imaging the pelvis, for fistulating or inflammatory complications of Crohn’s disease.
For a conclusive diagnosis, or to provide guidance during treatment, the digestive tract imaging we have highlighted is invaluable. If you feel this can help diagnose, or treat a condition concerning you, please get in touch.