May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Digestive Disorders Which is the best diagnostic tool to determine a bowel obstruction?
Which is the best diagnostic tool to determine a bowel obstruction? |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Can an MRI determine kinks and colon or small bowel problems, diverticulosis, perforation, Chron's etc? Is it as good as detecting as a CT scan? Trying to avoid radatiaon epxosure if possible (I've had many CT scans in the past for other issues). Dear Elizabeth: I understand your concern about radiation exposure due to CT scans examinations in the past, but let me reassure you that there is almost no radiation remains in a patient's body after a CT examination. In fact it is so low that is about the same as the average person receives from background radiation in three years. However there might be a risk only if continuous exposure is present. In the case of MRI versus the use of CT scan as a diagnostic tool for small and large bowel diseases diagnosis, it will all depend in which of the pathologies are being studied. For example in the cases that you mention such as Bowel Obstruction , Chron’s disease , Diverticular Disease , an simple abdominal X-ray sometimes with contrast might be just enough to help with the diagnosis or the use of Colonoscopy and Ct Scan. They will get the job done with better cost- benefit for the patient. In other cases such as Metastasis, MRI might be preferred over CT scan. I recommend you to discuss the imaging exams with more detail with your physician for the exact disease that will be studied and the risks and benefits of it. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 February 2010 ) |
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