MRI scans for bowel/colon disorders?

Posted , 7 users are following.

I am trying to find out if MRI scans can be used to detect bowel and colon problems, basically things such as ulcers, as I have had no less than four proctograms in my past history and a colonoscopy and a sigmoid, they are uncomfortable, unpleasant and the results were not conclusive even though a 'hands on' under anathetic established I had a fully prolapsed bowel that needed immediate surgery.  So obviously I am disatisfied witht the tests and want to know if there is a more efficient alternative, basically to pick up if I have an ulcer or anything else wrong as my symptoms are so frightful they are really not liveable with.

I have tried googling but all that comes up is things to do with cancer and while I sympathise, that is not the comprehensive answer  I would like, I am asking my doctor tomorrow but she did say ultrasounds can't look at your colon and i am suspicious about that as someone on the forum said they had an ultrasound for bowel related problems so i thought I would throw it open and ask if anyone here has any reliable information on MRI scans, I am assuming that they differ from ultrasounds but i am no expert in this field.  Thank you, Fiona

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Fiona,

         If you are talking about ulcers in the stomach or beginning of the small intestine, then an endoscopy is in order.  Sorry to say that's not a very comfortable procedure either, but they ususlly put you out for it.  Other than what you have already done, I don't think there is an easy way to look into the rest of the intestines. An ultrasound might show something but not sure if it can see things as small as ulcers.  Not sure about MRIs either fro that particular organ.

         There are other tests both of the blood and the stool which can be very informative, but I suspect you have already had those done, or at least should have based on what you have told us.   While you do not mention your other sysmtoms, it sound like you have had a rough time.  I wish you luck.

  • Posted

    Fiona,

    I will call our INVIEW "virtual colonoscopy Service tomorrow for you but you must let me know first if you have access to a "virtual colonoscopy service?

    I do not want any one poking around up my ying hang..I realize a punctured colon is "rare" and the current data states it can do 90% of what a normal colonscopy can do "visually" it cannot render any remedy...serves as a diagnostic tool only....also, in the meantime you ought to check out FMT trials to see if you can get qualified...With what you've described as symptoms, I think you would qualify for either UC or Crohns...Claudio

  • Posted

    Hi Fiona,

    Sorry to say that I think you need and endoscopy and colonoscopy - or top and tail as they say at the hospital. They do indeed put you out or numb you up for the proceedure. I've had it done twice and I would just say it's unpleasant but they get a good look at what is going on and I think it's your best best. Good Luck!

  • Posted

    Hi Fiona

    Been following your post as I asked a similar question about MRI's. Did you ask the doctor? Am interested to what they said as I would like one for the same reason, and seen so many times people getting no clear results or help from a colonoscopy on here, so thought maybe bypass them and a MRI may show more? Let me know how you get on. Thanks Launa

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