Clinical Medicine Insights: Gastroenterology

Background: Increased speed and resolution of ultrasound have made it a first-line modality for the abdominal examination. During the last 5 years trans-abdominal ultrasonography has been used increasingly, for assessment of patients with small bowel (SB) diseases. Around 350 such examinations are performed annually in the diagnostic imaging department at Azhar University Hospital. Hence, the aim is to determine if the ultrafast three-dimensional ultrasound (U3D US) is potent for optimal examination of SB diseases.

Patients and methods: Tap-water intake has been used to distend the SB. All patients have been examined in supine position. The U3D US data of 198 patients with SB diseases were assessed. The proximal and distal SB image quality along with the evaluation of bowel distention, motility and lesions were reported.

Results: Image quality was good in all examinations. Adequate demonstration of the proximal and distal SB was obtained in all of U3D US examinations. The inclusive diagnostic accuracy of U3D US was precise in 92.3%. Proximal SB was, however, less frequently involved, particularly in patients below the age of 30 years

(P = 0.050).

Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of U3D US enterography is valuable for detecting SB lesions. This modality is widely available, inexpensive and easy technique, can be used as an initial investigation in the evaluation of patients with SB disorders.