Diagnosis
To establish the diagnosis of IBD a combination of tests must be carried out. Here are some things you should expect when you are being evaluated for IBD.
| General |
Full medical history, physical exam, and obtain information on symptoms |
| Blood tests |
CBC (complete blood count) looks for high white blood cell count (which may indicate inflammation, infection, or anemia); comprehensive chemical survey (checks liver or kidney dysfunction); sedimentation rate and CRP (detect inflammation)
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| Stool samples |
Check for bacteria and intestinal bleeding. Sometimes additional stool studies are done to rule out infection. |
| Scopes |
These procedures use a thin flexible tube with a lighted camera inside of it. Biopsies and pictures may be taken to help your doctor further understand what is going on in your system.
Colonoscopy
The scope examines the entire colon and continues on to the end of the small intestine called the ileum. This test enables physicians to visually see the lining and any ulcers, bleeding, and/or inflammation. Colonoscopy requires an oral prep to clean out the colon the day before the test.
Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscopy examines the sigmoid colon, or lower third of the large intestine, in a similar way to a colonscopy. Sigmoidoscopy requires enemas before the test to clean out the lower part of the colon.
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
The scope is inserted through your mouth and follows the tract to the stomach and upper small intestine. This procedure is done to look for bleeding, ulcers, and inflammation.
Enteroscopy
Similar to upper endoscopy but more extensive, the scope is inserted through your mouth and looks at your small intestine beyond the normal upper endoscopy.
Capsule Endoscopy
A capsule containing a camera inside of it is swallowed by the patient. As it follows the entire digestive tract it takes pictures of sections that are not easily reached by other endoscopy procedures.
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| CT Enterography |
Specialized x-ray that takes cross-sectioned images through your body, then digitally combines the images to look at the intestine. |
| Barium x-rays |
Barium, a white chalky liquid, is consumed and is monitored by x-ray as it makes its way down the digestive tract. This tests for swelling, narrowing, and other intestinal inflammation. Tests done with barium include upper GI imaging, small bowel follow-through, and barium enema. |
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