Crohn's Disease
See Also:
Crohn's Disease:
Introduction/Overview
Crohn's Disease:
Types
Crohn's
Disease: Causes & Risk Factors
Crohn's Disease:
Signs & Symptoms
Crohn's
Disease: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools
Crohn's
Disease: Treatment Options
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools
The diagnostic tests for Crohn’s disease include:
1. Imaging tests
2. Laboratory tests
Imaging Tests:
Sigmoidoscopy:
In this procedure, the doctor directly examines the lower
portion of the colon and rectal lining with the help of a
60-centimeter flexible fiber optic scope containing a
light source and a camera lens. This device is inserted
into the anus and eased into the rectum and descended
through to the sigmoid colon to check for irregularities,
if any. Sigmoidoscopy is generally used to diagnose
ulcerative colitis and rule out Crohn’s disease.
Colonoscopy:
This procedure permits the doctor to examine the
colon in its entirety from the rectum to the
terminal ileum, the end of the small intestine.
Current colonoscopes make use of a
microchip-driven electronic imaging and screen
projection. The procedure is performed with
the patient under “Conscious
Anesthesia” in a hospital or endoscopy
clinic. Small tissue samples are collected for
biopsy to check for precancerous condition with
the help of a small set of forceps inside the
colonoscope.
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Barium Enema:
Barium sulfate suspension is injected into the colon
through a tube inserted into the rectum and number of
x-rays taken. The barium sulfate “dye” provides
a clear view of the soft tissue of the bowel. The barium
enema clearly indicates the continuity of diseased
portion to a radiologist and a gastroenterologist. (7,8)
ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography):
In this procedure, the doctor examines bile ducts in the
liver and pancreatic duct.(7,8)
Endoscopic Ultrasound:
In this procedure, an ultrasound probe attached to an
endoscope is used to obtain images of the stomach below
the surface. The procedure is used to diagnose perianal
fistulas due to Crohn’s disease.
Capsule Endoscopy:
In this procedure, the patient is required to swallow a
capsule with a camera inside to provide images of
sections of the small intestines which are beyond the
reach of a an EGD.
Computerized Tomography (CT):
This procedure helps to view the entire bowel along with
tissues outside the bowel not visible with any other
diagnostic procedures. This procedure may be recommended
to discover the exact location of the diseased portion
and the extent of disease along with complications such
as partial blockages, abscesses or fistulas.
Laboratory Tests:
Laboratory tests help confirm Crohn’s disease. An
increase in White Blood Cell (WBC) count and Erythrocyte
Sedimentation Rate (ESR) indicate the presence of a
inflammatory disease. Low Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC)
count is an indication of anemia due to malabsorption of
iron, excessive internal bleeding or chronic illness.
The presence of C-reactive protein also indicates
intestinal inflammation (7,8).
See Also:
Crohn's Disease:
Introduction/Overview
Crohn's Disease:
Types
Crohn's
Disease: Causes & Risk Factors
Crohn's Disease:
Signs & Symptoms
Crohn's
Disease: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools
Crohn's
Disease: Treatment Options
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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