Indications for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract

Indications for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract are all pathological changes in the function of the gastrointestinal tract. Ultrasound examination is not the main and standard in the examination of the gastrointestinal tract due to the fact that the echogenicity of the stomach is often low. This is due to the anatomical localization of the organ itself, as well as the constant processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. However, ultrasound allows you to get information about the functioning and condition of the outlet sections of the gastrointestinal tract. However, ultrasound allows you to get information about the functioning and condition of the outlet sections of the gastrointestinal tract. The following are well visualized: the curvature of the stomach - large and small, the pyloric canal and cave, the transition zone into the duodenum (pars pylorica), the beginning of the duodenum (ampulla duodeni). All other parts, zones of the gastrointestinal tract are examined by the echogram with not very high accuracy, so they require other research methods. However, ultrasound examination is an important component of general diagnostic measures, since the main pathologies of the stomach are localized in the outlet area. The advantages of the ultrasound method over other, classical ones - X-ray, endoscopic ones - are that X-ray reveals only one projection, and endoscopy can be dangerous in terms of possible additional infection, in addition, it does not provide information in cases of infiltrative oncoprocess. Echography makes it possible to study the state of the gastrointestinal tract in many projections and planes. Ultrasound also allows you to study the painful area in detail, which reduces the time of the diagnostic period. Echography is highly informative in the study of peristalsis and DGR (duodenogastric reflux) using duplex examination.

Despite the echogenic specificity of the stomach and, in principle, the entire gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound copes well with the detection of functional disorders and inflammations. Often, the indication for gastrointestinal echography is a clinically expressed erosive process. Timely clarifying diagnostics helps to minimize the risk of ulcerative, oncological processes and prescribe effective treatment.

Indications for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract can be combined into the concept of abdominal pain, which occurs with pancreatitis, cholelithiasis (cholelithiasis), foodborne toxic infections, gastroenteritis or gastritis, adnexitis, intestinal obstruction and many other conditions. Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract is also prescribed in case of abnormal liver function tests. Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract often accompanies other research and treatment procedures, such as endoscopy, aspiration, biopsy.

Indications for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract include all destructive processes and possible oncological diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. These include:

• Inflammatory processes of the pancreas, which have a direct relationship with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• All types of inflammatory diseases in the duodenum and pars pylorica (pyloric part of the stomach) - gastroduodenitis;
• All types of inflammatory processes of the gastric mucosa – gastritis;
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease);
• PHG – portal hypertensive gastropathy;
• Achalasia of the esophagus (cardia);
• CHL – cholelithiasis;
• All inflammatory processes of the intestine of any etiology.

Ultrasound examination is performed in several ways. It is mandatory to perform the procedure on an empty stomach. The first stage of the study involves scanning with a contrast agent, which is purified water. The patient drinks at least half a liter of liquid in slow sips, trying not to swallow air. This is how the quantitative indicator of the stomach contents is examined, which should not exceed 40 milliliters. Also at this stage, the cross-sectional diameter and wall thickness are assessed, which should normally be from 2.5 to 5 millimeters. Any deviations from normal boundaries are considered a syndrome of damage to the hollow stomach. This may be thickening of the stomach walls, hyperechogenicity of the contents, disruption of the wall layers, changes in the contours of the stomach. The obtained indicators may signal erosive pathologies of the gastric mucosa, the presence of polyps, gastritis, and the oncological process. Also, with the help of a contrast agent in the form of water, the evacuation properties of the stomach are assessed. If the pyloric section is deformed, which happens with ulcers or oncology, evacuation is noticeably slower. Also, a decrease in the evacuation rate may be a sign of endocrine pathologies and general anatomical prolapse of organs. DGR (duodenogastric reflux) is detected using standard echography and duplex imaging.

Indications for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract depend on the anatomical features of the gastrointestinal tract, which can provide echographic information or are not subject to scanning at all. The ultrasound method is suitable for studying:

• The entire stomach, including the walls and their structures. Echography can determine the layering of the walls (normal - 4), including the fifth layer - the serous membrane;
• Conditions of the esophagus in two sections – the cervical and cardiac sections;
• Terminal zone of the small intestine;
• Folds of the large intestine, its condition from the coecum (cecum) to the rectum (rectum).

Indications for ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract are determined by the attending physician based on the collected anamnesis, clinical picture and symptoms, laboratory tests and other information that indicate the need for echography of the gastrointestinal tract.

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