THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT - A NEW ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE OR AN ALTERNATIVE TO ENDOSCOPY?

Radu Badea1, T. Vasile2, Andrada Seiceanu1
1) 3rd Medical Clinic. 2) Radiology Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca

Abstract

Three-dimensional ultrasound examination (3D ultrasonography) represents a new diagnostic technique. It provides high quality data, on perpendicular axes, and it is reproducible. The digestive mucosa may be visualized and the features related to tumoral lesions may be investigated (tumour type, degree of profusion, the existence of adenopathies). In order to achieve a high quality 3D US a special preparation of the patient and relatively sophisticated equipment are required. The technique has a significant error coefficient, namely it cannot distinguish between food debris and tumoral formations. Additional studies are necessary to assess its utility in a clinical environment.