title: Sonography of the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of sonographic manifestations of various gastrointestinal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were scanned with an HDI 3000 or HDI 5000 system (Philips Medical Systems, Bothell, WA) with both a 2- to 5-MHz curvilinear transducer and a 5- to 12-MHz linear transducer. The patients were asked to fast from the previous night. For accurate visualization of the stomach, a cup of water was given to patients thought to have stomach or upper gastrointestinal disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A satisfactory sonographic examination could be performed in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With recent technical advances, the increasing use of sonography in initial evaluation of patients with abdominal pain may allow earlier detection of bowel disease.
authors.affiliation: Thane Ultrasound Centre, Shanti Nivas, Talaopali, Thane, India. chaubal@bom3.vsnl.net.in
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaubal
authors.forename: Manjiri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dighe
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chaubal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler