Unveiling the Mystery of Small Bowel Follow Through: A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment

Introduction

Small bowel follow through (SBFT) is a procedure used to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases and disorders of the small intestine. SBFT is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses a contrast material to visualize the small intestine. It is typically used to diagnose Crohn's disease, tumors, strictures, inflammation, and other problems. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. This article will provide an overview of SBFT, including how it is performed, what it can be used to diagnose, and how it can be used to monitor treatment.

What is Small Bowel Follow Through?

Small bowel follow through is an imaging technique used to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the small intestine. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses a contrast material, usually barium, to visualize the small intestine. The contrast material is swallowed and then X-ray images are taken as it passes through the small intestine. The procedure can be used to diagnose Crohn's disease, tumors, strictures, inflammation, and other problems. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

How is Small Bowel Follow Through Performed?

Small bowel follow through is a relatively simple procedure. Before the procedure, the patient is asked to fast for at least four hours. The patient then drinks a thick mixture of barium, which coats the lining of the small intestine and makes it visible on X-ray images. The patient is then asked to lie down on an X-ray table and X-ray images are taken as the barium passes through the small intestine. The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes.

What Can Small Bowel Follow Through Diagnose?

Small bowel follow through can be used to diagnose a variety of diseases and disorders of the small intestine. It can be used to diagnose Crohn's disease, tumors, strictures, inflammation, and other problems. It is also useful in diagnosing certain types of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as diverticular bleeding.

How Can Small Bowel Follow Through be Used to Monitor Treatment?

Small bowel follow through can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. The procedure can be used to monitor the progress of Crohn's disease, as well as to monitor the response to medications. It can also be used to assess the effectiveness of dietary changes and other lifestyle modifications.

Conclusion

Small bowel follow through is a non-invasive imaging technique used to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the small intestine. It is a relatively simple procedure that uses a contrast material, usually barium, to visualize the small intestine. SBFT can be used to diagnose Crohn's disease, tumors, strictures, inflammation, and other problems. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. This article has provided an overview of SBFT, including how it is performed, what it can be used to diagnose, and how it can be used to monitor treatment.