What is better than an ultrasound of the intestine or a colonoscopy, pluses and minuses of procedures
Early detection of diseases of the digestive tract, especially cancer, is critical for effective treatment. To establish the diagnosis, it is sometimes necessary to undergo many laboratory and instrumental examinations. Often patients are faced with the question of which is better - an ultrasound of the intestine or a colonoscopy - to identify various bowel diseases.
Give a definite answer to this question is impossible, since some diseases more detailed information in ultrasound, while others - colonoscopy. Each of these survey methods has its pros and cons.
What is the difference US and colonoscopy
ultrasound and a colonoscopy - are two completely different survey method on the principle of action and diagnostic value, which in any case should not be opposed to each other. On the contrary, these types of surveys should complement each other, as each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Ultrasound is based on the imaging of internal organs due to the use of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound probe sensor generates ultrasonic waves and directs them deep into the body. The tissues of the body discourage some of the waves with certain characteristics, and these reflected waves are captured by the sensor. Information is sent to a computer that processes it and generates an image that the doctor interprets.
Colonoscopy consists of a direct visualization of the internal structure of the large intestine. When it is carried out, the doctor, thanks to the camera and the light source, inserted into the lumen of the intestine, can see the lesions of his inner membranes.
Advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound and colonoscopy
Consider the positive and negative aspects of each diagnostic method.
Ultrasonography
ultrasound - a technique of examination of the patient, in which the sound waves of high frequency are used. These waves penetrate into the tissues of the body, being reflected from them. Most often, the ultrasound of the abdomen is used to visualize the liver and biliary tract, urogenital system and pelvic organs.
The use of this method of examination in the diagnosis of intestinal diseases is limited by technical difficulties with obtaining its qualitative images. However, the continuous improvement of equipment and software, the increased professionalism of diagnostic doctors extend the use of intestinal ultrasound.
The fact is that the walls of the intestine have different layers, which are characterized by a different conductivity of ultrasonic waves. Thanks to this, a characteristic picture of the intestine on ultrasound is created. By detecting violations of this characteristic type, a doctor can judge the presence of certain diseases.
Advantages ultrasonography prior to colonoscopy:
- allows to estimate the thickness of the intestinal wall when inflammation or cancer.
- Wide accessibility of the method.
- Possibility of carrying out without thorough preparation.
- Non-invasiveness.
- Painless.
- The possibility of visualization of the small intestine.
- Ability to carry out in children without restrictions.
On the other hand, the serious limitations of US lie in the fact that the digestive tract is not possible to visualize the entire length, many of the ultrasound findings are nonspecific and may be seen in various diseases, interpretation of these results depends on the experience and medical expertise. In addition, the conduct of ultrasound is greatly complicated in patients with obesity.
Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, Crohn's disease and complications of celiac disease, volvulus in children, intestinal cancers, ischemic bowel disease, appendicitis. Also this method of examination allows you to evaluate peristalsis and bloating of the intestine.
To improve the visualization and increase the diagnostic value of ultrasound, contrasting and hydro sonography are sometimes used. When contrasting, intravenous administration of a special preparation is used, which allows more clearly visualize the walls of the intestine. When hydro sonography, the patient is given a special solution of polyethylene glycol, which fills the lumen of the intestine and improves the possibilities for ultrasound.
An interesting trend in the use of ultrasound of the intestines is the diagnosis of food allergies. Before and after provocation of the hypersensitivity reaction, a series of ultrasound is performed, in which the changes in the wall thickness and diameter of the small intestine lumen, its peristalsis, are measured.
In addition, conducting dopplerography allows you to assess the state of circulation in the small and large intestine. Increased blood flow is observed with inflammatory or infectious diseases, weakening speaks of ischemic bowel disease.
Ultrasound of the intestine is best done on an empty stomach, so after dinner on the day before the examination should not eat or drink anything.
Ultrasound examination of the abdomen and intestines is one of the main methods of examination, which is used primarily in an acute abdomen - a situation where it is necessary to carry out differential diagnosis of diseases that can cause abdominal pain.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the "gold standard" for diagnosis of colon diseases. Despite all the achievements of modern medicine, none, even the most advanced method of ultrasound can not replace colonoscopy in this area. Of course, ultrasound has a number of advantages that relate to the possibility of examining the small intestine, the absence of complications and painlessness, but with colon diseases it is the colonoscopy that has the greatest diagnostic value.
If someone says that with polyps or tumors of the colon, ulcerative colitis is better to do an ultrasound of the intestine, and not a coloscopy - he should not be trusted. Despite all its shortcomings, the colonoscopy far exceeds the intestinal ultrasound for informativeness, if it is a case of colon diseases.
Advantages of colonoscopy :
- This examination allows the physician to see from inside the entire large intestine.
- During the examination, the doctor can perform a biopsy, remove polyps or other pathological formations, if necessary.
- One of the most sensitive examinations that can detect even small lesions.
Disadvantages of a colonoscopy:
- Preliminary examination requires thorough preparation and cleaning of the intestine.
- Subject to poor preparation, the survey may not be informative.
- In many cases, due to painful examination, anesthesia or sedation is necessary. More on anesthesia with colonoscopy →
- Possible complications, although rare. Complications of colonoscopy include bleeding and perforation of the intestine.
- Precautions should be taken in children and the elderly.
- Ability to diagnose only diseases of the large intestine.
Often used in medicine methods can not be compared in value and effectiveness, as they have a completely different purpose. It's like with a tool - it's better to hammer nails with a hammer, not pliers. Similarly, in this case, one can not say that ultrasound of the intestine is better than a colonoscopy, and vice versa. These are two completely different survey methods, each of which is applied according to its indications.
In view of the low cost, general availability and high safety of ultrasound methods, it is logical to proceed as follows: if there are symptoms of bowel disease, first make ultrasound, and if there are problems with the large intestine, colonoscopy.
Author: Taras Nevelichuk, doctor,
specially for Moizhivot.ru
