| [ Summary ] |
To diagnose inflammatory conditions of the small intestine, medical histories, physical findings, laboratory information and images from various procedures are essential. Imaging procedures include esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, small bowel radiography, balloon assisted enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy, CT and MRI. Balloon assisted enteroscopy has advantages for obtaining biopsy specimens and therapies such as balloon dilation for strictures. The use of patency capsule may help avoid capsule retention. Small bowel radiography is still a necessary procedure for the diagnosis of inflammatory disease of the small intestine. Other procedures, such as CT enterography and MRI, ultrasonography, may contribute to the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease when appropriately applied to the patients. |