The procedure of performing ultrasound of the digestive tract

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is expertly consulted by Master, Doctor Luu Thi Bich Ngoc - Doctor of Radiology - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Gastrointestinal ultrasound is an imaging technique performed to diagnose diseases in the gastrointestinal tract, which is oriented to higher techniques such as computed tomography, endoscopy for identification.

1. When to order gastrointestinal ultrasound

Gastrointestinal ultrasound is indicated for cases of suspected disease in the gastrointestinal tract, typically the following groups of diseases
● Enteritis, colitis, diverticulitis, gastritis;
● Acute appendicitis, abscess or appendicitis. Abdominal pain of unknown cause;
Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, gastrointestinal polyps, abdominal tumors;
● Intestinal obstruction, intussusception, intestinal volvulus, perforation of hollow viscera;
● Chest trauma, abdominal trauma;
● In addition, gastrointestinal ultrasound is also performed when the patient has a general health checkup and at the doctor's professional request.

2. What to prepare for gastrointestinal ultrasound?

2.1 Implementation staff ● The doctor is the person who directly performs the ultrasound technique for the patient.
● The medical secretary will assist in typing the results and return the results to the patient.

2.2 Supplies and equipment for gastrointestinal ultrasound. ● Ultrasound machine, ultrasonic photo printer;
● Computers, printers to evaluate results and print results for patients;
● Ultrasonic gel, sterile gloves, wipes for patients.
2.3 What the patient needs to prepare for the gastrointestinal ultrasound Usually when the patient has an ultrasound of the GI tract, no preparation is required, sometimes the doctor will ask the patient to drink water during the procedure.

3. The process of performing an ultrasound of the digestive tract

3.1 The medical secretary invites the patient into the room ● The secretary invites the patient into the room, checks the patient's full name, age, address, specifies the patient's ultrasound request.
● Before performing gastrointestinal ultrasound, the secretary usually instructs the patient to lie supine on the bed, arms raised overhead, legs extended. The patient's shirt is pulled up over the breastbone and the pants are pulled down over the pubic joint, while the patient's private parts are covered with a prepared towel.
3.2 The doctor selects the transducer and the abdominal ultrasound program ● Apply gel to the transducer;
● Perform ultrasound techniques of the gastrointestinal tract through ultrasound cuts. Depending on each case, ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract can also be performed in other positions such as lying on the side or lying on the side, ... the patient will be ultrasounded in the sequence of the digestive tubes in the abdomen like the stomach. , duodenum, small intestine, colon, rectum;
● After performing an ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient is wiped clean of the gel and directed to the waiting area for results

3.3 Analysis of gastrointestinal ultrasound results ● The doctor prints and synthesizes the obtained ultrasound images, reads the results for the clerk to record and print the results.
● Before signing results to return to patients, doctors often scrutinize results and descriptions.
● After receiving the results of the gastrointestinal ultrasound, the patient is explained and instructed to bring the results back to the designated doctor;
Based on the initial gastrointestinal ultrasound results, the appointing doctor will consider whether the patient has to do other tests or give professional advice as well as give advice and treatment direction accordingly. suitable for the patient.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
A system of modern and advanced medical equipment, possessing many of the best machines in the world, helping to detect many difficult and dangerous diseases in a short time, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of doctors the most effective. The hospital space is designed according to 5-star hotel standards, giving patients comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.
Master, Doctor Luu Thi Bich Ngoc has 06 years of experience working in the field of diagnostic imaging, received formal training and graduated with a Master's degree from Hanoi Medical University. Dr. Ngoc has strengths in diagnosing breast, thyroid, liver cancers early. experience in doing ultrasound of tissue elastography for liver, breast, thyroid diseases... From 2019 until now, Dr. Ngoc has worked at Vinmec Times City International Hospital with a position at the department. Image analysation.
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