Diseases of the stomach and intestines - the organs that make up the gastrointestinal tract - occupy 1st place among all diseases occurring in humans of different ages. These pathologies bring patients many unpleasant moments - from an uncomfortable state to excruciating pain. But the most dangerous thing is that it is gastrointestinal diseases that cause a huge number of complications - perforated ulcers, severe inflammation and cancerous tumors, leading to disability and even death. That is why it is recommended for every person to undergo a gastrointestinal ultrasound periodically, even if nothing hurts yet.
And your gastrointestinal tract is healthy: stomach health is a matter of time
Let's look at medical statistics on diseases of the stomach and intestines. Alas, it is frightening, even without taking into account hidden patients who have not been examined and residents of the poorest countries where there is no access to medical services.
According to statistics:
- Almost 90% of the population of developed countries suffers from gastritis varying degrees neglect.
- 60% of the world's inhabitants are infected with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, and is the cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
- In Western countries, up to 81% of citizens, according to statistics, periodically experience heartburn, which is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease - a disease of the esophagus that leads to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
- About 14% of people have peptic ulcer stomach.
At the age of over 60 years, the quality and duration of life depends on the condition of the stomach and intestines, but it is possible to get rid of existing pathology only by initial stages diseases. That is why it is so important to be attentive to your health and not bring the problem to a chronic stage.
How to check the stomach and intestines quickly, cheaply and informatively?
There are several types of examination of the intestines and stomach, but only one has a full range of advantages, which doctors consider invaluable and very effective in making a diagnosis.
- An ultrasound can be done urgently for any patient’s condition. The examination will take a maximum of 15-30 minutes.
- Ultrasound diagnostics are carried out painlessly, without causing psychological discomfort. Unfortunately, other methods of examining the gastrointestinal tract require very unpleasant procedures - swallowing tubes, inserting sharp instruments into the anus, sometimes to a decent depth, drinking liquids, vomiting and etc.
- Ultrasound is completely safe. The method is based on echolocation and does not require the use of X-ray and MRI equipment.
- This is one of the cheapest examinations. Examination of the gastrointestinal tract along with other organs abdominal cavity will cost around 1 thousand rubles.
With all this, this technique is sometimes even more informative than other methods of examining the stomach and intestines. For example, unlike the endoscopic diagnostic method (using probes that are inserted inside), ultrasound reveals intestinal inflammation, thickening and protrusion of the walls, stenosis (expansion of the lumen), abscesses, fistulas, congenital anomalies(Crohn's disease), neoplasms on early stages development of the disease.
Specifics of the gastrointestinal tract examination: why the stomach and intestines need to be examined in detail
Despite the close relationship between the stomach and intestines, the doctor examines both organs in detail, since they not only have similar diseases. For example, ulcers can be localized in any part of the gastrointestinal tract or form in all parts at once. The same applies to oncological tumors, inflammation and other processes.
Depending on the patient’s complaints, the specialist examines the intestines and stomach separately. Having received data indicating dangerous processes, the doctor refers the patient for additional diagnostics.
Along with an ultrasound, it is recommended to simultaneously take a breath test for Helicobacter pylori. This analysis is also not traumatic - the patient will only need to exhale air a few times. The ultrasound plus complex will allow you to literally identify in 15-20 minutes the cause of heartburn, abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea or constipation, bloating and other symptoms, determine the extent of the processes and prescribe treatment without resorting to unpleasant diagnostic methods.
How to examine the intestines: Ultrasound plus additional techniques
The intestine has three sections: the large, small intestine and rectum, and the study of each of them has its own characteristics and nuances.
- Ultrasound of the large intestineHelps detect cancer at the earliest stage. To make sure, the patient is prescribed contrast x-ray and colonoscopy. Irrigoscopy, an X-ray examination using contrast liquid, will also be very effective. The method allows you to “see” areas that are invisible to colonoscopy and difficult to distinguish with ultrasound, for example, areas of bends or accumulations of mucus.
- Ultrasound of the small intestinemakes it difficult to tortuosity and deep burial, as well as the accumulation of gases that distort the image on the monitor. A special curved sensor and the latest high-precision equipment help to examine the small intestine. Ultrasound evaluates wall thickness, visualization of layers, patency, wall expansion, and peristalsis.
- Ultrasound of twelve duodenum carried out together with a stomach examination. Allows 100% diagnosis of stomach ulcers, cancer, gastroduodenitis.
Depending on the area being examined, the doctor uses a sensor with certain characteristics.
Ultrasound machines for intestinal examination
The intestines are examined using two types of sensors: transabdominal (through the abdominal wall) and endorectal. To study the colon, a 2D device is sufficient, which produces a flat two-dimensional image. Such an examination already provides reliable information about the patient’s health status. The endorectal method is more informative because the sensor is inserted into the anus and examines the organ from the inside.
The doctor decides which sensor to choose depending on the patient’s complaints. In special cases, both methods are used.
- In 15% of cases, the transabdominal sensor “does not see” the rectum, as well as the anal canal area. The endorectal method is not possible with terminal stenosis gastrointestinal tract(abnormal narrowing).
- An endorectal probe is usually used to examine distal sections rectum. A rectal examination requires preparation.
Preparation and performance of intestinal ultrasound
Preparation for the procedure begins 3 days in advance, the patient refuses food that causes constipation or flatulence (legumes, sweets, flour products, smoked and spicy foods).
The day before, from 18.00, the patient completely refuses any food, having first taken a laxative (Guttalax, Regulax, Duphalac, Bisacodyl). If there are problems with peristalsis, the patient is given an enema, and in special cases, a special cleansing enema is performed using a Bobrov apparatus (a glass vessel for introducing a large amount of liquid inside).
In the morning, the patient goes for an ultrasound examination until 11.00 am. This is due to the fact that the procedure is carried out only on a well-cleansed intestine and a completely empty stomach, while long breaks in food intake are contraindicated.
In the ultrasound diagnostic room, the patient lies on the couch on his side with his back to the machine, having first removed his clothes below the waist and lowered his underwear. The legs are tucked with the knees to the chest. Ultrasound begins in the direction from the lower parts to the higher ones. In parallel with this, the doctor moves the probe in such a way as to examine the intestine in the transverse, longitudinal and oblique planes. When the echogenic picture is not entirely clear, the doctor asks the patient to change position (lean on his knees and elbows, stand up).
It is carried out using a transabdominal sensor. A contrast liquid (barium sulfate solution) is first injected into the empty intestine. Thanks to this, a clear picture is obtained on the monitor screen.
To examine the rectum, 3.5-5 MHz sensors are used. Ultrasound of a given length passes through the soft tissue of the intestine, being reflected back. The built-in receiving sensor picks up the signal and transmits it in processed form to the monitor screen. Various compactions, neoplasms and erosions are expressed in the form of white, black or mixed areas of varying echogenicity. An experienced doctor does not make a diagnosis immediately, but correlates the data obtained with the results of tests and other studies.
Interpretation of intestinal ultrasound results
A healthy intestine has two membranes. External represents muscle tissue with low echogenicity, the inner mucosa is in contact with the gas and is therefore visualized as a hyperechoic layer.
During an ultrasound examination, the following parameters are assessed:
- Dimensions and shape. The wall thickness is 3-5 mm. The picture is distorted in the event of the formation of gases that deform the ultrasound, and insufficient filling of the intestines with liquid.
- Bowel locationrelative to other organs.
- Wall structure (echogenicity). The outer layer is hypoechoic, while the inner wall is characterized by hyperechogenicity. The contours are smooth, the intestinal lumen should not have expansions or contractions. Peristalsis is noticeable.
- Length and shape of various sections.The thermal section is 5 cm, the middle section is 6-10 cm, the middle ampullary section is 11-15 cm.
- Lymph nodes.Should not be visualized.
Deviations from the norm indicate various pathologies:
- Enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine): dilation of the intestine, increased peristalsis, accumulation of contents of varying echogenicity;
- Hirschsprung's disease ( congenital pathology increases in individual intestinal sizes): significant expansion of the lumen, uneven contours, heterogeneous wall thickness, noticeable places of thinning, lack of peristalsis;
- If it is impossible to determine the layers of the intestine, we can talk about acute mesenteric thrombosis - a consequence of myocardial infarction, expressed in thrombosis of the mesenteric artery;
- Uneven internal contours (which causes ulcerative lesions of the mucous surface), weak echogenicity, thickening of the wall - all this indicates nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
- Chronic spastic colitis: areas of high echogenicity against the background of a hypoechoic surface, thickening of the walls;
- Ischemic colitis: inability to visualize layers, uneven thickening, reduced echogenicity;
- Acute appendicitis: on the monitor screen a vermiform appendix with a diameter of 7 mm is visible, the layers of the appendix do not differ from each other, the walls of the appendix are thickened asymmetrically, free fluid is visualized, increased echogenicity indicates an abscess;
- Diverticulitis (protrusion of the intestinal walls): at the site of the diverticulum, ultrasound “sees” a thickening of the wall more than 5 mm above normal, echogenicity indicates an abscess, the contours are uneven;
- Mechanical damage to the intestine: in addition to severe tension in the abdominal muscles, the patient’s echogenicity at the site of the hematoma is reduced, the walls at the site of damage are thickened;
- Oncology (cancerous or precancerous tumor): the external contours are uneven, the lumen is narrowed, peristalsis is impaired at the site of the tumor, lymph nodes of reduced echogenicity are visualized.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound of the intestinal gastrointestinal tract?
Ultrasound diagnostics of the intestine is used for initial examination in case of suspected pathology, as well as in cases where the endoscopic method is contraindicated due to health conditionspatient (intestinal perforation (damage), inflammatory process).
Ultrasound examination of the intestines has a number of advantages:
- The patient does not experience psychological discomfort.
- The doctor receives information about the size of the organ, its structure, thickness, number of layers, without penetrating inside the organs.
- Ultrasound allows you to examine the inflamed intestines and clearly sees the upper gastrointestinal tract.
- Peristalsis is visualized in real time and intestinal obstruction is determined.
- On an ultrasound of the intestines, the specialist will see even small compactions or changes in the echostructure of tissues.
- Ultrasound allows you to do screening (endorectal method), completely confirm or refute oncology.
Despite the large number of advantages, diagnosing this organ with ultrasound has some disadvantages, the main one of which is the impossibility of making an accurate diagnosis without additional examination.
Also, the disadvantages of the method include the following:
- Only functional disorders in the functioning of the organ are detected.
- Structural changes are determined without defining the parameters of the changes.
- It is not possible to assess the condition of the internal mucous surface; if structural changes are detected, colonoscopy is prescribed - an endoscopic method
Tests and studies that complement intestinal ultrasound
As mentioned above, intestinal ultrasound is not 100% confirmation of a particular diagnosis, although in many ways the method is informative and accurate. Depending on the preliminary diagnosis, in addition to ultrasound, the patient is prescribed:
- Capsule examination. The patient swallows a capsule with a sensor inside, which conducts video surveillance and transmits the image to the monitor screen. The method allows you to see areas inaccessible to the endoscope. Significant advantages also include the absence of trauma (the intestinal walls are not scratched) and radiation (unlike X-rays).
The disadvantages of the capsule technique include the low prevalence of capsule examination, because the method was first tested in the USA in 2001, and today it is still not widespread. Its cost is very high, and this limits the circle of clients. Other disadvantages include the inability to conduct a capsule study in case of intestinal obstruction, infections, and peritonitis. The method has age restrictions associated with the peculiarities of peristalsis.
- Colonoscopy. This is an endoscopic method that allows you to examine the internal mucous membrane for polyps, colitis, tumors, Crohn's disease, inflammation and other pathologies. The disadvantage of this method is the risk of intestinal trauma and perforation (punctures of the walls). Colonoscopy also does not see tumors between the intestinal walls.
- Irrigoscopy. This is a special method aimed at identifying hidden tumors located between the inner and outer lining of the intestine. In addition, the method, unlike colonoscopy, sees areas on the folds of the intestine and its remote areas.
Irrigoscopy involves the introduction of a liquid solution of barium sulfate through the anus, which allows a clear contrast image to be obtained upon contact with air. The advantages of irrigoscopy are the ability to examine structural changes in tissue (scars, diverticula, fistulas). The method is used for diarrhea or constipation, mucus in the intestines, pain in the anus.
Ultrasound of the stomach is an important part of the gastrointestinal tract examination using ultrasound.
For a long time, ultrasound diagnostics was not used in the study of the stomach. This is due to the fact that the stomach is a hollow organ, and the air does not allow full use of a conventional ultrasound sensor for research rear walls special sensors are needed. In addition, accumulated gases distort the displayed results. However, medicine does not stand still, and modern techniques already provide sufficient information to make an accurate diagnosis.
Sensors for studying the stomach appeared relatively recently, in the late 2000s. However, the speed and safety of scanning makes ultrasound examination of the stomach increasingly popular.
During an ultrasound examination, the doctor evaluates the organ according to the main indicators:
- Stomach volume.It's hollow muscular organ resembling a bag. The volume of an empty stomach is 0.5 liters, and when full it stretches to 2.5 liters. The stomach reaches 18-20 cm in height and 7-8 cm in width. When filled, the stomach stretches up to 26 cm in length and up to 12 cm in width.
- Structure.Near the heart is the cardiac region, in which the esophagus passes into the stomach. On the left you can see the bottom of the organ, where air entering with food accumulates. The body of the stomach is the largest part, rich in glands that produce hydrochloric acid. The pyloric zone is the transition from the stomach to the intestine. There, partial absorption of substances received from food occurs.
- Structure.The walls of the stomach have a muscular layer that is responsible for contracting and promoting the food coma. The serosa is intermediate between the muscular and mucous layers. They accumulate in it The lymph nodes and blood vessels. The mucous layer is covered with the finest villi, which secrete gastric juice produced by the glands.
- Blood supply.The circulatory system covers the entire organ. Venous blood the organ is supplied by three main vessels: the left, hepatic and splenic. The venous network runs parallel to the arterial network. Various bleeding occurs when the gastric mucosa is damaged (ulcers, tumors).
How is an ultrasound of the stomach performed?
Preparation for the intestinal ultrasound is similar: the patient adheres to it for 3 days strict diet, and the night before from 18.00 does not eat any food. If there is a tendency to form gas, the patient drinks 2 capsules of Espumisan before bed. In the morning, half an hour before the procedure, you should drink a liter of water so that the walls of the stomach straighten.
There is also a method of ultrasound examination with contrast. Water is an excellent conductor of ultrasound, and without it, scanning an organ is somewhat difficult.
The procedure is carried out on an empty stomach. The doctor assesses the condition and thickness of the walls on an empty stomach, looking for the presence of free fluid. Then he asks the patient to drink 0.5-1 liter of liquid, and uses an ultrasound machine to evaluate changes in the expanded stomach. A third ultrasound scan is performed 20 minutes later when the stomach begins to empty. The doctor evaluates the motility of the organ and the rate of fluid loss. Normally, a glass of water (250 ml) comes out of the stomach in 3 minutes.
The patient lies on the couch on his side, the specialist applies gel to the peritoneal area and moves the sensor over the surface. Periodically, he tells the patient to change position or change his posture slightly. The doctor pays attention to the following indicators:
- position of the stomach and its size
- Has the mucous surface of the stomach expanded?
- is there thickening or thinning of the walls
- what condition is it in? circulatory system stomach
- contractility of the stomach
- are there inflammations and neoplasms?
The entire examination takes a maximum of 30 minutes and does not cause discomfort or pain. Ultrasound, unlike FGDS, is much easier to tolerate for children and the elderly.
Advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound of the stomach when examining the gastrointestinal tract
The doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination of the stomach to the patient as a primary auxiliary diagnostic method.
The advantages of ultrasound are as follows:
- the exit section most susceptible to diseases is examined;
- ultrasound “sees” any foreign bodies in the cavity;
- Ultrasound accurately assesses the thickness of the walls of the organ;
- thanks to the method, venous blood flow is clearly visible;
- Diagnostics reveals benign and malignant tumors minimum sizes;
- stomach ulcers are well assessed;
- the degree of inflammation of the gastric mucosa varies;
- the method allows you to see reflux disease - the reflux of the contents of the lower sections back into the stomach;
- the organ is examined from different points and in different sections, which is impossible with x-rays;
- Ultrasound sees what is happening in the thickness of the stomach wall;
- thanks to the echo structure, ultrasound can easily distinguish a polyp from an oncological neoplasm;
- in addition to diagnosing the stomach, ultrasound diagnostics reveals concomitant pathologies of other organs (usually with gastritis, diseases of the biliary tract and pancreas develop);
- Ultrasound is performed on newborns and small children for whom it is impossible to undergo an FGDS or x-ray.
The main advantage of ultrasound over FGDS is the ability to detect forms of cancer developing in the thickness of the organ wall (infiltration forms), which cannot be detected using fibrogastroscopy.
Despite all the advantages, ultrasound has some disadvantages that do not allow the method to become widespread as an independent examination of the stomach.
The disadvantages include the following:
- Unlike endoscopic examination, ultrasound does not allow tissue samples to be taken for further study (for example, gastric juice;
- scraping of the mucous membrane, tissue biopsy);
- Ultrasound cannot assess the degree of changes in the mucous membrane;
- limitation of the areas studied (it is possible to examine only the outlet zone of the stomach).
What does ultrasound of the stomach reveal when examining the gastrointestinal tract?
The ultrasound method is not the most popular when examining the gastrointestinal tract, but it makes it possible to obtain very important information.
The stomach is an extension of the digestive canal in the form of a bag. It is a hollow organ whose walls have an outer muscular layer and an inner mucous layer. The mucous membrane is rich in glands that produce gastric juice and hydrochloric acid, as well as enzymes. With their help, incoming food is softened and treated with a natural antiseptic. The stomach is separated from the esophagus by the sphincter, and from the duodenum by the pylorus.
The organ is examined by ultrasound in two ways:
- Transabdominal (through the walls of the peritoneum). It is carried out with different sensors, but the results always require additional confirmation.
- Probe (sees the stomach from the inside). Used extremely rarely.
When conducting a study using a sensor, the specialist pays attention to the following:
- thickness, folding, structure of the mucous membrane (are there any neoplasms, bulges, or irregularities on it);
- thickness of the muscle layer (expansion or thinning indicates pathology);
- the integrity of the gastric wall (are there any perforations, ulcers or neoplasms);
- amount of free fluid (indicates inflammation);
- peristalsis, motility and contractility of the stomach;
- transitional sections of the stomach (sphincter and pylorus, their features
- functioning).
It is worth noting that ultrasound of the stomach and duodenum is significantly inferior in its informative value to the more popular method known as FGDS. But in some cases, other research methods are unacceptable for the patient due to health conditions or fear of a traumatic procedure.
Transabdominal examination identifies three layers of the gastric wall: hyperechoic mucosal layer (1.5 mm), hypoechoic submucosal layer (3 mm) and hyperechoic muscular layer (1 mm). With the probe research method, 5 layers up to 20 mm thick are determined.
Ultrasound diagnostics of the stomach allows us to identify the following pathologies
| Symptoms | Possible disease |
| Swelling of the antral mucosa | Acute pancreatitis, nephrotic syndrome (kidney damage) |
| Thickening of the stomach wall, uneven rounded neoplasm, rich in blood vessels, no boundaries between layers, no peristalsis | Carcinoma (malignant tumor) with distant metastases |
| Lack of boundaries between layers, narrowing of the pyloric lumen | Pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the pylorus due to scarring caused by an ulcer) |
| Changes in the echostructure of the stomach walls, the walls are expanded, the contours are uneven | Neuroma (tumor developing from the tissues of the peripheral nervous system), leiomyoma (benign tumor of the smooth muscles of the stomach), adenomatous polyp |
| Expansion of the abdominal region (compared to the norm) after filling the stomach with water, splitting of the echo signal, the presence of hypoechoic inclusions, stagnation of fluid in the cardiac region | Gastroesophageal reflux (reflux of intestinal contents back into the esophagus) |
| Small amount of fluid, rapid release of fluid from the stomach, changes in the contour of the stomach | Diaphragmatic hernia |
| Dense hyperechoic formations with a clear structure, the boundaries between the layers are clearly visible, the echogenicity of the mucous and muscle layers is not changed | Cystic formations |
| Uncertain changes recorded by ultrasound | Affected hollow organ syndrome. This diagnosis requires mandatory confirmation by other types of research (CT, MRI, FGDS, X-ray). |
| Anechoic crater-like areas on the inner wall of the stomach | Stomach ulcer |
Ultrasound scanning of different parts of the stomach
Thanks to ultrasound, the doctor assesses the condition of the following areas of the organ:
Bulbar or duodenal bulb. This part of the organ is located in the area where the stomach exits, and controls the flow of contents processed by gastric juice into the intestinal lumen. With intestinal diseases, ulcers and sites of inflammation form on the bulb. The main reasons for duodenal ulcers are increased acidity and the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which begins to actively multiply under such conditions.
The study is carried out in real time with a linear or convex sensor with a frequency of 3.5-5 MHz. To detail the condition of the walls, sensors with a frequency of 7.5 MHz are used, but they are ineffective for obese patients with developed subcutaneous fat.
If a patient is diagnosed with a gastric and duodenal ulcer, then in most cases the walls of the bulb are affected. On ultrasound, this is reflected by anechoic areas, because, unlike healthy walls, the ulcer does not reflect ultrasound.
The diagnosis of “stomach and duodenal ulcer”, if zones of anechoicity are identified on ultrasound, is made conditionally. Additionally, the condition of the walls of the bulb is assessed (they have a mucous structure with longitudinal folds). The normal thickness should be no more than 5 mm, and in the antrum (the transition of the stomach into the duodenum) - up to 8 mm. With thickening, we are not talking about an ulcer, but about an oncological neoplasm. The patient will need additional research: endoscopic with sampling of material for biopsy.
Due to the fact that ultrasound is not able to establish an accurate diagnosis, the patient is given a preliminary diagnosis of “anechoic areas”, and then he is sent for fibrogastroduodenoscopy. It is this method that makes it possible to take tissue from the wall of the bulb to determine the nature of the pathology. FGDS also allows you to assess the condition of the organ’s vessels.
Pyloric canal or pylorus of the stomach.This is a slight narrowing at the junction of the bulb and the duodenum. It consists of smooth muscle walls 1-2 cm long, located both in the annular and transverse directions. Normally, there is some curvature of the canal. Ultrasound can detect diseases such as polyps, stenosis (narrowing), ulcers, and pyloric spasm.
Sphincter (cardia)- This is the border between the peritoneum and the esophagus. Normally, the sphincter opens only after eating, and remains closed the rest of the time. Due to its functional significance, the sphincter has a stronger muscular layer than the stomach, which allows it to open and close like a valve. When eating, the sphincter closes the exit from the stomach, allowing food to be digested. But as a result increased acidity and other pathologies, the organ ceases to function normally, and the contents of the stomach enter the esophagus.
Pathology detected: should it be rechecked?
Ultrasound of the stomach and intestines is very informative, but it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on the data obtained. If problems are detected, the patient undergoes additional examination. The most popular methods for examining the gastrointestinal tract include:
- FGDS. This is an endoscopic method that allows you to see bleeding, tumors in the stomach and intestines.
- Probing. It involves taking the contents of the stomach for further laboratory testing.
- Gastropanel. This is an innovative method, according to which the patient is drawn from a vein, and a possible ulcer, atrophy, or cancer is detected using certain markers.
- CT scan. They take cross-sectional images in different projections and identify the location of tumors, hematomas, hemangiomas, etc.
- MRI. This is the most expensive and effective method research. Allows you to visualize not only the organ itself, but also nearby lymph nodes and blood vessels.
- Endoscopy. Used when collecting material for biopsy.
- X-ray. Reveals incorrect location stomach and intestines relative to other organs, pathology of shape, various neoplasms.
- Parietography. Translucent the walls of the stomach and intestines thanks to the injected gas.
- Laboratory tests (blood, urine, stool tests).
After undergoing additional diagnostics, the doctor decides on treatment methods. It is important to understand that treatment of the gastrointestinal tract cannot be done in a “mono” mode - it is always a set of measures associated with restoring health and preventing relapses and complications. You can also monitor the quality of treatment using ultrasound, comparing previous results of a gastrointestinal tract examination with new ones.
“In the gastroenterology department of our clinic, equipped with the latest technology, you will be able to undergo a complete and detailed examination of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), using unique modes that increase the accuracy and information content of the diagnosis. We also treat various diseases of the digestive system, including the most complex cases, using an individual and comprehensive approach to the patient, based solely on the principles evidence-based medicine. Gastroenterology in our hospital involves innovative techniques that not only show high efficiency, but also cause minimal discomfort to the patient.”
Areas of work
In the gastroenterology department of the Yauza Clinical Hospital, you can be treated both on an outpatient basis and in a comfortable hospital setting, where you will be monitored by an experienced gastroenterologist. You can use the following services:
- Fast (in 1-2 days) comprehensive diagnostics wide range diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and identifying their causes using the latest generation equipment
- Conservative therapy of identified pathology using methods that have proven high efficiency, as well as the latest developments in world medicine (pharmacotherapy regimens, hemocorrection methods), ensuring the success of treatment
- High tech surgery gastrointestinal tract if necessary (for example, laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder, endoscopic intraluminal operations, for example, removal of polyps). After surgical intervention patients are in our comfortable hospital and undergo a rehabilitation program developed specifically for them
Innovative methods for diagnosing and treating gastroenterological diseases
Diagnostics
Gastroenterology at the Yauza Clinical Hospital is a department equipped with the latest technology, where you can undergo examination using highly informative methods. A gastroenterologist can offer you:
- the most modern radiation diagnostics using fully digital Philips devices:
- CT scan of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space (CT examination of the liver, spleen, pancreas, assessment of the condition of large vessels, kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters),
- CT-virtual colonoscopy (CT examination of the abdominal organs, overview assessment of the small intestine, virtual “fly-through” of the large intestine with assessment of patency and intraluminal formations)
- MRI of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space, MR cholangiopancreatography (magnetic resonance imaging of the liver, spleen, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder, assessment of the condition of large vessels, kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters),
- general radiography of the abdominal organs,
- ultrasound diagnostics:
- ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and retroperitoneal space, gall bladder with determination of its function,
- if necessary, fibroelastography of the liver (assessment of the severity of fibrosis of the liver tissue),
- endoscopic examinations:
- gastroscopy and colonoscopy, including expert examination in monochrome mode, visualizing pathological changes on the mucosa, invisible during conventional endoscopy. By taking a biopsy specifically from suspicious areas, we significantly increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Thanks to this, a gastroenterologist can identify oncological processes at a very early stage.
- We can carry out endosonography - simultaneous endoscopic and ultrasound diagnosis of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, bile ducts and liver, providing the most early diagnosis neoplasms.
Timely detection of oncological pathology allows for radical treatment, organ-saving surgeries, which are also available in our clinic.
- Endoscopic examinations can be performed in a state of sedation (medicated sleep).
- a full range of laboratory tests - blood (general clinical, biochemical, serological, molecular genetic, tumor markers), feces (coprogram, carbohydrate content, diagnosis of helminthiases, hidden bleeding, etc.), .
- according to indications - puncture biopsy of the liver.
Treatment
Modern gastroenterology is constantly evolving. Each gastroenterologist at our hospital is active member international professional communities, therefore our specialists are the first to learn about the latest innovations in world medical science, and our gastroenterology clinic quickly implements the best and proven methods into practice.
In treatment we are based on the principles of evidence-based medicine and use the most effective schemes therapy for gastrointestinal pathology, the latest drugs, diet therapy. We adjust lifestyle and diet, take into account the state of health of the body as a whole, that is, we implement a comprehensive and personalized approach to each patient.
In the treatment of a number of diseases (Crohn's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, ulcerative colitis), our gastroenterological center offers innovative methods of hemocorrection that quickly interrupt the process of autoimmune inflammation, improve well-being and prolong remission.
The use of the latest innovations helps us effectively treat even severe gastroenterological diseases.
Department equipment
The Department of Gastroenterology of the Yauza Clinical Hospital is one of the best equipped in Moscow. We offer you to undergo diagnostics and treatment using new generation foreign equipment. The professionalism of our doctors allows us to maximize the potential of our expert devices, conduct highly accurate examinations and achieve the desired results in treatment. In addition, modern equipment makes diagnostics as comfortable and safe as possible for you.
Magnetic resonance imaging scanner Ingenia 1.5 Tesla (Philips, Netherlands)
We are working on the world's first and only type of magnetic resonance imaging device with a completely digital signal acquisition architecture, which allows it to be transmitted via optical fiber. Digitization of the signal provides the highest quality images, speeds up the examination by 40% compared to other tomographs, which is very important for many patients who suffer from claustrophobia or have difficulty maintaining a static position for long periods of time. The tomograph has the maximum equipment for performing all types of studies, including cardiac MRI, fetal MRI, whole body MRI, MR perfusion (including non-contrast scanning modes), MR tractography, quantitative assessment of liver fat and cartilage mapping with color maps and 3D reconstruction. Whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging is possible.
Patient comfort is achieved thanks to the large diameter of the device and the ability to control the internal environment. The patient can change the color and intensity of lighting at will, create calming and distracting visual effects, and select optimal ventilation and temperature. In addition, the patient can choose musical accompaniment, including a favorite playlist from social network or your own player.
The department has implemented automated system quality control of research and descriptions, based on a modern IT platform with triple control of research results, support from professors and leading specialists from Russia, Europe and Israel.
Computed tomograph Ingenuity Elite 128 slices (Philips, Netherlands)
Equipped with iMR technology. This is the most powerful image reconstruction system, allowing you to achieve the ideal balance - simultaneously reducing radiation exposure and improving image quality by 60-80% compared to other tomographs.
The latest digital technologies help to obtain a high-precision signal, without interference, which improves image quality and helps to identify the smallest details, including tumors and metastases.
The device is fully equipped and allows for all types of CT examinations, including CT angiography of peripheral and great vessels, as well as cardiac vessels (CT coronary angiography), virtual bronchoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, dental CT with calculations before implantation, 3D densitometry (diagnosis osteoporosis).
Ultrasound scanner Accuvix A30 (Samsung Medison, Korea)
Provides expert-level ultrasound diagnostics with excellent visualization. Allows the doctor to assess the condition of the abdominal organs, thyroid gland and regional lymph nodes, reproductive female system, identify benign or malignant neoplasms in the early stages.
The scanner has a high resolution and is equipped the latest features obtaining two-dimensional (hybrid beamformer) and three-dimensional (3D-4D) images, high-quality and quantification elasticity of fabrics. Calculation of the intima-media complex (assessment of the condition of the carotid artery) is performed automatically.
The ElastoScan function provides early diagnosis of thyroid diseases, including malignant neoplasms, makes it possible to identify pathological changes that cannot be detected using traditional methods research.
Modern Alpha Blending technology allows you to detail the structures in the background, making the colors transparent.
HI VISION Preirus (Hitachi, Japan)
A premium ultrasound scanner allows you to obtain detailed images of organs and is used in all areas of medicine, including stress echocardiography (with a SHIILLER bicycle ergometer, Switzerland) and endosonography (with a PentaxEG3870 UTK endoscope).
The technology of broadband beamforming and ultra-fast image processing is used. Advanced innovative technologies provide high penetrating power, temporal, spatial and contrast resolution. This allows you to conduct all types of studies for patients of any weight category and obtain images of the highest quality.
Modern endoscopic system based on the EPK-i7000 video processor (PENTAX Medical, Japan)
Carrying out gastro- and colonoscopy quickly and as comfortably as possible for the patient, providing a detailed examination and effective treatment. The EPK-i7000 video processor creates excellent illumination and HD+ high-definition images. We conduct an expert endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract in monochrome color mode with the ability to magnify the image, revealing changes in the mucous membrane (including precancerous ones) at a very early stage, undetectable by a conventional endoscope. A biopsy is taken from these places, which increases the information content and sensitivity of the method and helps diagnose any pathology with the highest accuracy. If desired, the examination is carried out under anesthesia.
Simultaneous endoscopic and ultrasound examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract reveals neoplasms of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum in the early stages, determining the extent, depth, and spread of the process in the wall of the organ. The method is effective in examining the liver and pancreas to detect the early stage of malignant tumors.
Our specialists
Having decided to make an appointment with our gastroenterologist medical center, You can rest assured that you trust your health to a specialist high level. Doctors working at the Yauza Clinical Hospital are members of the respected medical organizations, professional communities, experts in their field, holders of academic degrees and extensive experience in leading clinics in Russia and other countries.
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Types of gastrointestinal diseases
Among the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are:
Symptoms of diseases
Manifestations of gastrointestinal diseases are quite characteristic and largely depend on the location pathological process:
- Acute pain in a stomach
- Heartburn and belching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heaviness in the stomach
- Flatulence and bloating
- Stool disorder: diarrhea or constipation, as well as changes in the appearance, color of stool and frequency of bowel movements
- Sudden changes in weight and/or appetite
- Coated tongue and bad breath
- Yellowing of the skin and sclera
If you have one of these symptoms, and especially two or three, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist. MEDSI doctors will ask about complaints, collect medical history, and before starting treatment, they will definitely find out the cause of the disease.
Causes of diseases of the digestive tract
For development pathological conditions The gastrointestinal tract is influenced by a variety of factors. Finding out the cause of the disease is extremely important for selecting appropriate therapy.
- Regime and nature of nutrition. The gastrointestinal tract comes into direct contact with the food we eat. The abundance of preservatives, artificial colors or other ingredients that aggressively affect the mucous membrane negatively affects its condition. Improper diet, unbalanced composition, eating very hot, cold or spicy food also provokes digestive problems.
- Alcohol and smoking. Strong alcoholic drinks have a traumatic effect on the gastric mucosa, and smoking contributes to the development oncological diseases
- Ecology. City dwellers often eat meat or vegetables that contain antibiotics or nitrates. The quality of water in urban water supply systems also leaves much to be desired.
- Taking certain medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Genetic predisposition, which tends to manifest itself with decreased immunity or the action of predisposing factors
- Stress
- Infections
- Diseases of other organs and systems
Diagnostic methods
At the initial appointment, the MEDSI gastroenterologist conducts a full survey of the patient and finds out his complaints, medical history of the current disease, the presence of accompanying pathologies and allergies, family medical history, diet. After this, the doctor proceeds to a general examination and palpation of the abdomen. Depending on the results of the initial study, the specialist prescribes additional examinations.
The MEDSI clinic is equipped with high-quality modern equipment, which allows you to make an accurate diagnosis in the shortest possible time, as well as monitor the dynamics of the patient’s condition under therapy.
MEDSI uses:
- Laboratory diagnostics: blood, stool and urine tests, including to determine the presence of infections
- Ultrasound examinations abdominal organs
- X-ray examination, including with contrast
- MRI and CT
- Endoscopic examinations: gastroscopy, colonoscopy with the possibility of taking a biopsy or performing additional therapeutic procedures
- Determining the presence of Helicobacter Pylori using a breath test or rapid biopsy analysis
Advantages of treatment at the MEDSI clinic
When a doctor at the MEDSI clinic sees a patient for the first time, he surrounds him with professional care and makes every effort to ensure that the treatment process, which is often quite lengthy, is as comfortable and effective as possible.
The specialist accompanies the patient at all stages of diagnosis, prescribes and adjusts, if necessary, drug therapy, and prescribes physiotherapeutic and rehabilitation procedures. An important component of treatment is the selection therapeutic diet and regular examinations during remissions.
Combination of experience of qualified specialists, high-tech equipment and modern techniques treatment allows our patients to return to active life in the optimal time.
The overall health of a person largely depends on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Therefore, it is important to ensure the proper functioning of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This is only possible with timely monitoring of your health status and prompt response to your body’s complaints.Comprehensive Check Up diagnostic programs in the field of Gastroenterology are developed to identify disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, including in the early stages, and timely prevent the development of pathology.
Thanks to such programs, which include everything necessary tests and research, patients in a short time have the opportunity to undergo full qualified medical examination digestive system.
At all stages of the Check Up program, SM-Clinic specialists provide their patients with comfortable support, and as a result, receive a detailed conclusion about the functioning of the body’s digestive system and the necessary recommendations.
Who needs Check Up programs in gastroenterology
- everyone healthy people once a year, even in the absence of complaints;
- persons with a hereditary predisposition to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- people with bad habits (alcohol abuse), constant stress, eating disorders;
- people with discomfort/or pain in the abdomen, nausea, heartburn, belching, problems with bowel movements
- those suffering chronic diseases gastrointestinal organs (as an annual routine examination).
Check Up programs Gastroenterology" at SM-Clinic
We offer to undergo a comprehensive Check Up examination of the gastrointestinal tract:The goal of the program is to timely assess the condition of the digestive system organs and identify existing disturbances in its functioning at any stage of development.
Program cost: from 10,000 rubles.
The program combines diagnostic procedures that make it possible to reliably identify a predisposition to various diseases of the digestive system and the presence of an already developing pathology, including in the early stages. Based on the research data, the patient receives a detailed opinion from a gastroenterologist and recommendations for adjusting lifestyle, nutrition and further treatment.
Benefits of completing Check Up programs. Gastroenterology" at SM-Clinic
- Availability of our own laboratory, ensuring high accuracy and efficiency of analysis
- Comfortable service without expectations
- Experienced doctors and diagnostic specialists
- The latest technical equipment for instrumental examinations
- Detailed conclusion, specialist consultation and individual recommendations based on the results of the completed program
Gastrointestinal diseases are one of the most common problems of a modern person, who most of the time lives on constant snacks, business lunches and late dinners. According to statistics, almost every second modern man suffers from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but most of these ailments remain unidentified due to a simple reluctance to visit a specialist. Today, there are many opportunities for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases, which make it possible to identify the problem with high accuracy and in a short time and determine ways to solve it.
Physical examination methods
Of course, the first step towards establishing a diagnosis is consultation with a specialist. It is necessary to answer in detail all the questions of a gastroenterologist or therapist, who, based on your complaints, will be able to draw up a general picture of the disease. Next, the specialist proceeds to a more detailed examination, which includes methods such as palpation, auscultation, and percussion. Below we will look at some of these examination methods in more detail:
Palpation is a special technology for palpating the patient’s abdomen, performed with the doctor’s fingers without the use of additional tools. Scientists have long identified features characteristic of gastrointestinal diseases that can be detected by palpation. For example, with the help of palpation, a specialist can determine the areas of localization of pain, the degree of tension abdominal wall and other changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Palpation is performed in a warm room, and the patient can be in either a vertical or horizontal position. It is most convenient to carry out this diagnostic method when the patient is in a lying position and the abdominal muscles are relaxed. To do this, the couch should be soft, and the person being examined should have a small pillow under his head. It is important that the room is warm; the specialist’s hands should also be pre-warmed. If it is necessary to diagnose diseases of the gastrointestinal tract located in the lateral parts of the abdominal cavity, then it is better to palpate in a standing position. Auscultation is a diagnostic method in which a specialist listens to sounds emanating from the gastrointestinal tract using a stethoscope. In some cases, auscultation can also be performed by placing the ear on the patient's abdomen. There must be silence in the room where auscultation is performed, and listening is carried out on symmetrical areas of the body for subsequent comparison of results. In this case, you should avoid pressing on the patient's abdomen. Percussion is a method of examining the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which is carried out to determine the boundaries of their location. As a rule, percussion is performed simultaneously with palpation for the most accurate diagnosis. Percussion is used primarily to examine the liver and spleen.
More often, these methods for diagnosing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are of a primary nature and allow only an approximate determination of a person’s condition. For a more accurate diagnosis, the specialist prescribes a series of clinical and laboratory tests. It is necessary to pass the general and biochemical analysis blood, as well as general analysis urine.
Other technologies for diagnosing diseases of the digestive system: probing
As a rule, the above diagnostic methods can reveal only an approximate picture of the disease. If the specialist wants to obtain more accurate information for the diagnosis, he will refer you for additional examinations, which are carried out using special tools and equipment. The simplest and most common method of examining the gastrointestinal tract is probing. The main purpose of intubation is to access gastric juice, which reflects all the necessary indicators of the state of the gastrointestinal tract. Content violation of hydrochloric acid V gastric juice causes digestive problems and causes certain diseases. Probing is the only way to examine the balance of acidity in the stomach. In addition, it may be relevant in situations where it is necessary to diagnose certain diseases of the duodenum and even rinse the stomach in case of poisoning.
Endotracheal and nasogastric intubation
The sounding procedure involves inserting a special probe through the esophagus to the stomach. In preparation for this method of examining the gastrointestinal tract, the patient should avoid consuming vegetables, fruits, carbonated drinks, milk and black bread in his diet for two to three days. During this period, it is recommended to take activated carbon in order to reduce gas formation. The procedure itself is carried out ten to twelve hours after the last meal, on an empty stomach. Probing lasts on average no more than two hours and does not entail any consequences for the gastrointestinal tract.
Endoscopy and features of its implementation
Endoscopy is another method of examining the gastrointestinal tract, which involves introducing optical instruments into the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Typically, endoscopy is the most effective technology diagnosis of diseases of the small or large intestine. During endoscopy, a special tube with a camera is inserted into the intestinal lumen, which allows you to get a picture of the condition of the intestine from the inside. Endoscopy also allows you to extract material (biopsy) for further research and even carry out some treatment. This method for diagnosing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract was first used in the 19th century, and with the advent of a flexible gastroscope with optical system it began to be used more actively. 
Indications for endoscopy include suspicion of cancerous tumors, colitis and some other diseases. Endoscopy allows you to see polyps and monitor the condition of the transplant during intestinal transplantation. Endoscopy cannot be performed if there is an allergic reaction to anesthesia drugs or a blood clotting disorder in order to avoid dangerous consequences. When preparing for an endoscopy, you should only consume fluids for 24 hours and laxatives. This method of examining the gastrointestinal tract practically does not cause any complications, but requires an exceptionally professional approach and accuracy.
Fast and effective: sigmoidoscopy
The range of methods for diagnosing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is constantly updated with new technologies, one of which is sigmoidoscopy. This method allows you to examine the rectal mucosa using a special optical instrument. A sigmoidoscope, which is inserted through the anus, is a rigid metal tube with a small camera at the end. Using a rectoscope, a specialist can assess the condition of the intestines at a distance of 20-25 cm from the anus.
Sigmoidoscopy is performed within a few minutes and does not require anesthesia. If performed professionally, such a diagnosis does not cause the patient painful sensations however, if children are being studied early age, it is possible to use anesthetics. Sigmoidoscopy is used in cases where the patient experiences pain in the rectum, with purulent and mucous discharge and bleeding. These conditions can act as symptoms of diseases such as hemorrhoids, polyps, malignant tumors, so timely diagnosis in such cases is of particular importance. There are practically no complications after this research method; preparation for the procedure is limited to brief recommendations. On the eve of sigmoidoscopy, it is necessary to cleanse the intestines with an enema and avoid heavy foods in the diet.
Rectosigmocolonoscopy and ERCP
Additional methods for diagnosing diseases of the digestive system are also rectosigmocolonoscopy and. The first procedure is used when a more thorough examination of the intestines is necessary, when conventional endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are not enough. It is carried out using a flexible tube with a camera, which photographs the condition of the intestinal mucosa and takes material for analysis. The procedure is absolutely painless, however, before it is performed, the patient must follow a special diet for several days and thoroughly cleanse the intestines the day before.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERCP, in turn, is aimed at examining the bile ducts and includes both endoscopic and radiological methods. Using an endoscope in bile ducts A contrast liquid is injected, which allows you to subsequently see and evaluate their condition in the image. Before ERCP, the patient should not eat in order to obtain a good X-ray image. Among the rare complications of ERCP, only pancreatitis can be mentioned, however, professional performance of this procedure eliminates the possibility of such a complication.
One way or another, today there is a wide variety of methods for diagnosing diseases of the digestive system, which make it possible to accurately determine the problem and prescribe effective treatment. Modern technologies make these techniques painless for the patient and indispensable for the specialist.
