Small bowel follow-through

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A small bowel follow-through, also called small bowel series, is a radiologic examination of the small intestine from the distal duodenum/duodenojejunal junction to the ileocecal valve.

An X-ray examination of the most proximal small bowel (duodenum) is typically done together with an examination of the esophagus and stomach and is called an upper GI series.

Contents 1 Procedure 2 Indications 2.1 Specific indications 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Procedure

• Person drinks radio-opaque contrast.
• X-ray images of abdominal are made.

[edit] Indications

Pathology of the small bowel is uncommon. Therefore, upper GI and lower GI endoscopy is often done prior to small bowel follow-through.

Categorically, the indications are:

• Negative upper endoscopy and negative lower endoscopy
• Investigation of a small bowel abnormality found on other medical imaging

[edit] Specific indications

• Suspected small bowel neoplasm, e.g. small bowel cancer
• Hematochezia
• Positive fecal occult blood test
• Suspected small bowel obstruction that has been managed conservatively
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease)

[edit] See also

• Upper GI series

[edit] External links

• Small bowel follow through - med.umich.edu
• Images of a small bowel follow through - harvard.edu