Examination of the intestine. MRI of the intestine or colonoscopy - which is better?

In order to understand the advantages and the correct choice of research methods, it is first necessary to understand how the diagnosis and examination of the intestine is carried out. There are several methods, each of which has its own advantages and purpose. Rectoscopy or X-ray, CT or irrigoscopy, intestinal MRI or colonoscopy - which is better?

Methods of research

Modern methods of research can accurately determine the cause of pain in the intestines, thereby providing the physician with sufficient information in order to prescribe the correct treatment. The attending physician is assigned a study of the intestine. Colonoscopy or MRI of the intestine is one of the most popular methods. But today at the disposal of the doctor and the patient there are such studies of the intestine:

• Ultrasound and MRI.
• Irrigoscopy.
• Recto-manoscopy, intussusception.
• Rectoscopy.
• Colonoscopy and endoscopy.
• CT scan.
• Virtual colonoscopy.
• X-ray.

Each of these methods is aimed at examining different parts of the intestine or covering the entire length of the intestine and digestive tract, but the most commonly used and effective methods are colonoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, CT, virtual colonoscopy. Which of these studies and why may be preferable, determines the attending physician.

MRI of the stomach and intestines. Tomography in diagnosis

MRI of the intestine allows obtaining a three-dimensional image of the intestine. This study is conducted with an empty intestine, so before the procedure make a cleansing enema. This type of research is rarely prescribed, since the intestine is located in several layers, consists of many bends, which greatly complicates its study with this method. Nevertheless, this method is quite popular, because it does not require any special training, it is fast in urgent situations and is the best option for an emergency survey.

Indications for MRI

It is rather difficult to diagnose intestinal diseases, since it has several departments and a visual examination is difficult. MRI reveals benign and malignant tumors at any stage of their development, ulcers, bleeding, congenital anomalies, inversion of the intestines and stones, obstruction. To identify such disorders and diseases, the MRI method is most effective.

CT scan

A study using computed tomography of the human intestine is performed along with the use of MRI. Computer tomography makes it possible to examine the intestine layer by layer, making fixed pictures. Such images help to examine the intestine in all layers and leads perpendicular to the body, whereas MRI does not always give an accurate display in the examination of the middle layers. But in order to understand what is best - intestinal CT or colonoscopy, it is necessary to consider all methods in more detail.

Colonoscopy

The method of colonoscopy is also often used in the study and diagnosis of bowel diseases. For this endoscopic equipment is used, with which the sections of the thick and small intestine of the CCD or a fiber optic chamber are examined. Such a chamber is attached to the end of a flexible tube, which is inserted through the anus. This method of investigation is carried out after the cleansing enema. The method of colonoscopy helps the physician to visually examine the intestines, assess the condition of mucous membranes, the presence of erosion and lesions.

Indications for colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is prescribed for suspected or presence of tumor formations, hemorrhoids, narrowing of the intestinal lumen, prolapse of the intestine, presence of ulcers and polyps, with proctitis. With the fact that the real color image coming from the camera is transmitted to the screen, it is possible to assess the condition of the mucous membrane and the presence of its lesions and lesions in a particular place. Also using this method, cauterizes ulcers and removes polyps from the intestinal tissues.

To answer the question: "Intestinal MRI or colonoscopy, which is better?", It is worthwhile to consider another innovative method - virtual colonoscopy.

Virtual Colonoscopy

To date, this is the most progressive method of examination, since it combines the capabilities of computed tomography and MRI, creating a three-dimensional projection of the intestine, which is very detailed and convenient for the doctor in the study and examination of the intestine. Combining the best modern research technologies, virtual colonoscopy eliminates patients from passing several different examinations.

Pros, disadvantages and risks of different research methods

MRI of the intestine or colonoscopy, which is better? The following table will help to understand this in comparison.

MRI of the intestine or colonoscopy. What's better?

MRI and CT are fairly accurate non-invasive and easy visualization techniques for examining different parts of the intestine. However, it requires a sufficiently strong swelling of the intestine, which is achieved by filling it with water or taking oral contrast agents. Both of these methods give a good idea of the state of the intestine outside the inner surface. Often, the results of MRI studies are a guideline for colonoscopy, with a view to more detailed study of changes in the intestinal mucosa. MRI and CT are diagnostic methods and do not allow the study of internal mucous membranes, nor are they therapeutic procedures and can not provide the ability to remove polyps or take samples of intestinal tissues.

Colonoscopy reduces the incidence of cancer of the colon and left side of the colon, but it is a rather dangerous method with multiple side effects, but it helps to examine in detail the inner surface of the intestine. It accurately determines their condition, the presence of inflammatory processes, polyps, which can not be determined in other types of research. It allows not only to diagnose, but also to remove polyps, preventing their degeneration into cancer tumors. Cauterization of ulcerative formations and taking samples of the intestinal mucosa for further analysis is another advantage of the colonoscopy method.

Virtual colonoscopy or MRI of the intestine are diagnostic tests. But virtual colonoscopy is more complete and accurate image. Combines the advantages of both MRI and CT scans. This is the most modern method for studying the intestines, diagnosing diseases and lesions. However, just like these methods, it does not allow for physical interventions.

On the question of what is best, intestinal CT or colonoscopy, physicians believe that the second method is certainly more informative. And it allows a wider spectrum to identify diseases, studying the necessary departments and bends, and even to remove some diseases even during the examination, but this advantage of colonoscopy before MRI and CT is detected only in the presence of diseases that are on the inner walls of the intestine and are visually determined. In the case when the disease or disorder is inside the walls and is not visually determined or located outside the intestinal part of the intestine, then the exploratory methods, such as MRI, computed tomography or virtual colonoscopy, are an obvious advantage.