title: Role of ultrasound in colorectal diseases.
abstract: Ultrasound is an undervalued non-invasive examination in the diagnosis of colonic diseases. It has been replaced by the considerably more expensive magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, despite the fact that, as first examination, it can usefully supplement the diagnostic process. Transabdominal ultrasound can provide quick information about bowel status and help in the choice of adequate further examinations and treatment. Ultrasonography, as a screening imaging modality in asymptomatic patients can identify several colonic diseases such as diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. In addition, it is widely available, cheap, non-invasive technique without the use of ionizing radiation, therefore it is safe to use in childhood or during pregnancy, and can be repeated at any time. New ultrasound techniques such as elastography, contrast enhanced and Doppler ultrasound, mini-probes rectal and transperineal ultrasonography have broadened the indication. It gives an overview of the methodology of various ultrasound examinations, presents the morphology of normal bowel wall and the typical changes in different colonic diseases. We will pay particular attention to rectal and transperineal ultrasound because of their outstanding significance in the diagnosis of rectal and perineal disorders. This article seeks to overview the diagnostic impact and correct indications of bowel ultrasound.
authors.affiliation: Renáta Bor, Anna Fábián, Zoltán Szepes, First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Renáta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bor
authors.affiliation: Renáta Bor, Anna Fábián, Zoltán Szepes, First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fábián
authors.affiliation: Renáta Bor, Anna Fábián, Zoltán Szepes, First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szepes
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D019160:Endosonography; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012007:Rectum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Gastrointestinal diseases; Perineal ultrasound; Rectal endosonography; Ultrasound