Nicklaus Children's Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in Florida to offer intestinal ultrasounds (IUS) to children and teens, who have been diagnosed with, or are suspected of having, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Providing this non-invasive procedure to our patient families means no family ever needs to leave the state to receive the highest quality pediatric care and personalized treatment they need. Our IUS team accepts patient referrals from other gastroenterologists and providers to offer this new imaging service to pediatric IBD patients across Florida.
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What is an Intestinal Ultrasound?
An intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a noninvasive ultrasound of the lower gastrointestinal tract that provides highly detailed images of the small intestine and colon. An IUS can show inflammation and other bowel complications associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The procedure is painless and doesn't require any bowel preparation or sedation like more invasive procedures such as colonoscopies and endoscopies. An IUS cannot replace endoscopy for diagnosing IBD, but it can replace endoscopic exams that are used to check for the presence of inflammation and monitoring the patient's disease over time.
Why Might My Child Need an Intestinal Ultrasound?
This test can help us in a couple of important ways:
- Chronic Abdominal Pain: Identifying potential causes when other tests are inconclusive.
- Failure to Thrive: Assessing the gastrointestinal system for underlying issues affecting nutrient absorption.
- High Stool Calprotectin
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Ruling out Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a common condition that causes tummy pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. While ultrasound cannot directly diagnose IBS (which is based on symptoms), it can help us rule out other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms by showing us the structure of the bowel.
- Evaluating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves inflammation of the bowel walls. Intestinal ultrasound is a valuable tool for:
- Detecting bowel wall thickening: Inflammation causes the bowel wall to become thicker, which can be seen on the ultrasound.
- Assessing the extent of inflammation: The ultrasound can help determine how much of the bowel is affected.
- Monitoring disease activity: In children already diagnosed with IBD, ultrasound can help track how well their treatment is working by looking for changes in bowel wall thickness over time.
What Happens During the Intestinal Ultrasound Procedure?
During the IUS, gel is applied to the abdomen and a special wand is rolled over the area resulting in a detailed image on a screen. A gastroenterologist who is specially trained in performing IUS procedures will be able to examine the small intestine and colon in real time to see if there is any inflammation, disease or other complications. If the patient is already being treated for IBD, the procedure will also be able to show if treatment is working. Ultrasounds may take anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes, depending on how well the child cooperates.
How do I Prepare for an Intestinal Ultrasound?
An IUS does not require any special preparation, fasting or bowel preparation. Some patients may be asked to drink a small amount of liquid before the ultrasound, but this is not usually the case.
Who is a Candidate for an Intestinal Ultrasound?
Patients who have been diagnosed with or are suspected to have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) would benefit from an intestinal ultrasound. While IUS cannot replace endoscopic procedures or biopsies for diagnosing IBD, it may reduce the number of colonoscopies or other assessments needed to monitor inflammation and the disease activity over time.
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