[Ultrasonography in inflammatory bowel diseases--preliminary results].
BACKGROUND
After installing an ultrasound machine within the gastroenterologic unit at Alesund Hospital in February 2001, we wanted to evaluate its usefulness in inflammatory bowel diseases compared with endoscopy.


METHODS
We describe findings in 22 patients investigated from February to December 2001. Ultrasonography was performed using a combination of B-mode, power Doppler and duplex Doppler ultrasound techniques. The bowel disease was diagnosed by histology in all patients.


RESULTS
Ultrasonography revealed wall thickness, disease extent and hyperaemia within the pathological segment of the bowel in all patients. Furthermore, the method demonstrated several pathological conditions related to the bowel disease which were not revealed by colonoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography gives additional information to endoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Eriksen
Ragnar
R
Medisinsk avdeling Gastroenterologisk seksjon Alesund sjukehus 6026 Alesund. ragnar.eriksen@smr.no
Qvigstad
Tor
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014463:Ultrasonography