Ulcerative Colitis Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods, Tools

Conditions & Diseases: Digestive System

Ulcerative Colitis

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods & Tools

The following diagnostic testing methods are used to detect ulcerative colitis:

Sigmoidoscopy: This procedure helps in visualizing the lower gastrointestinal tract, namely the sigmoid colon and rectum. The doctor inserts a sigmoidoscope through the anus up the colon and checks for irregularities in the mucosal lining by looking at the images displayed on a monitor that are captured by a camera inserted with the sigmoidoscope.

Colonoscopy: This is a thorough examination of the entire colon starting right from small intestine (terminal ileum) through colon to the rectum. A colonoscope contains a small set of forceps that a doctor can control to remove polyps or small tissue samples for a biopsy that can indicate cellular changes (including cancerous cells if any).

Barium Enema: In this procedure, barium is inserted into the colon through the rectum with the help of a tube, and a series of X-rays are then taken. X-rays are also taken by filling the colon with air, then compared with the barium X-rays to point out any abnormalities. This procedure is considered the “gold standard” for distinguishing between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease since barium reaches up to the terminal ileum and can be used to check for the diseased portion (6).

In addition to the above diagnostic procedures, certain laboratory tests are also conducted to diagnose the disease:

Stool Examination: This exam can detect red or white blood cells, mucous cells and parasites.
Blood Tests including full blood count, which indicates anemia in people suffering from crohn’s disease and increased white blood cells - which could indicate activity of inflammatory bowel disease.
Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are indicators of active inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
Electrolyte imbalance (i.e., decreased serum sodium and potassium) and rise in blood urea is observed in severe diarrhea.
Low serum albumen is observed in cases of severe inflammatory bowel disease due to loss of protein from the inflamed intestine and impairment of liver function.
A mild elevation in liver function tests such as Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and/or bilirubin may be observed in inflammatory bowel disease (1).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com