Can Ultrasound Machine Be Used for Gastrointestinal Ultrasound?

B-ultrasound can be used for gastrointestinal examination, but due to the easy accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract, B-ultrasound examination is relatively difficult and not the preferred method. However, in recent years, with the widespread use of gastrointestinal acoustic imaging and endoscopic ultrasound, gastrointestinal handheld ultrasound examination has also been developed. Through oral filling agents, gastrointestinal ultrasound can observe the size, location, morphology, level of invasion, range of involvement, infiltration and metastasis of intestinal lesions in clinical practice. Therefore, it not only helps diagnose gastrointestinal diseases, but also provides a basis for clinical treatment plans and can help determine prognosis.

Handheld ultrasound examination is non-invasive, non-radiative, and has high safety

Compared with traditional gastrointestinal examinations, gastrointestinal ultrasound contrast examination is non-invasive, non-X-ray radiation, with high safety, and easy to operate. It can be repeated examined and is more acceptable to patients, and has high practical value in clinical practice.

It used to be thought that ultrasound could not be used to see the stomach and intestines because of the gas; but this view is outdated, and with technological progress, filling the stomach and intestines can now be conducted. The gastrointestinal tract is an important organ of the digestive system, which can decompose, digest and absorb entry foods, supplement the body with sufficient nutrition, and ensure the functional activity of various organs, occupying a pivotal position in human health.

What is the difference between gastric and intestinal handheld ultrasound and regular ultrasound examination? Can it replace endoscopy?

Before gastric and intestinal handheld ultrasound examination, an agent called "gastrointestinal contrast agent" must be taken orally or infused. The contrast agent produces a uniform acoustic interface between the gastrointestinal wall and the doctor can clearly observe whether the gastrointestinal mucosal surface, wall layer, and surrounding adjacent organs are abnormal or have tumors through this sound window.

Gastrointestinal handheld ultrasound cannot replace endoscopy. Gastrointestinal ultrasound can play a preliminary screening role and comprehensively observe the surrounding tissues of the gastrointestinal tract, but it cannot directly observe the gastrointestinal mucosa or take mucosal biopsies.

Diseases that can be diagnosed by handheld gastrointestinal ultrasound

Although there are many types of gastrointestinal diseases, gastrointestinal ultrasound can diagnose most of them, such as gastrointestinal tumors, duodenal ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal polyps, gastric vein varices, foreign bodies, and routine physical examinations. Since ultrasound waves are non-radioactive, pregnant women and children can use them for examination. Due to its safety, it is also suitable for elderly patients with serious underlying diseases. Especially during the outbreak, due to the disruption of daily life, lack of exercise, and the excessive consumption of food or even staying up late, it is easy to form gastrointestinal diseases. Gastrointestinal handheld ultrasound is a non-invasive examination that will not cause cross-infection between patients.