Elastography – what is it, who is it for and why do it?


Indications for colonoscopy under anesthesia

This type of examination is prescribed if pathological changes in the colon are suspected. The procedure can also be recommended for chronic diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach ulcers, gastritis, cholecystitis), which can cause complications associated with the condition of the intestines.

The doctor may decide on the need for this type of examination if the patient has complaints and symptoms indicating diseases of the colon:

  • blood or mucus found in the stool by the patient himself or during a laboratory test;
  • pain during defecation;
  • frequent feeling of incomplete bowel movement;
  • severe cramps, pain, cramping in the abdomen that occur before or after bowel movements;
  • frequent constipation;
  • frequent feeling of fullness in the intestines;
  • frequent diarrhea;
  • the presence of undigested pieces of food in the stool;
  • pain on palpation;
  • hard belly;
  • bloating;
  • increase in the number of tumor markers in the blood;
  • anemia;
  • allergic reactions or intoxication of unknown origin;
  • elevated temperature, combined with pain in the intestinal area.

Colonoscopy may be necessary in preparation for gynecological operations if the patient has unremoved polyps or tumors or is diagnosed with endometriosis.

Regular diagnostic procedures are required for patients:

  • over 45 years old;
  • with a genetic predisposition to intestinal cancer;
  • with chronic gastrointestinal diseases that negatively affect the intestines;
  • leading a predominantly sedentary lifestyle and allowing eating disorders;
  • having a history of surgery in the abdominal region;
  • with diagnosed Crohn's disease.

Methods of preparing patients for examination

There are two methods for preparing a patient for a colonoscopy.

Preparation with cleansing enemas

Currently, this type of patient preparation is used only when other methods are impossible. This happens when patients have allergic reactions to the components of drugs used in preparation for colonoscopy, when patients are elderly, or at their own request.

On the eve of the study, the patient is given two cleansing enemas with the addition of glycerin. The volume of each must be at least 1.5 liters. The first enema is at 20:00, the second is at 22:00. In addition, before bedtime, a laxative is given in a dose appropriate to the age of the person being prepared. On the morning of the procedure, the patient receives two more enemas of similar volume and composition at 6 and 7 am.

Preparation with laxatives

With this type of preparation, laxatives of different pharmacological groups are used. The most commonly used preparations are those based on artificial fiber. In the intestinal lumen, the base swells and enhances peristalsis, which leads to its cleansing. The only condition for this type of preparation is taking a large amount of water along with a laxative.

The drug Fortrans is widely used. Its dosage is calculated approximately as follows: per 30 kg of body weight, 1 packet of medicine. Each packet of powder is diluted in a liter of water. On the eve of the study, patients begin taking the drug in the following regimen: from 15 to 16 hours the first packet is drunk, from 16 to 17 hours - the second, from 17 to 18 hours - the third, if necessary. Each liter of the drug is drunk not in one gulp, but within an hour.

Other drugs from this group can be used as a laxative, but the dose and preparation regimen are prescribed by an endoscopist.

Benefits of colonoscopy under general anesthesia


Despite the informative nature of the method, the procedure is quite painful for the patient. Because of this, during the examination it can move, preventing the passage of the probe, which is extremely undesirable. Therefore, colonoscopy is now usually performed under anesthesia. This allows:

  • relieve the patient from psychological discomfort and pain;
  • speed up the procedure;
  • increase the accuracy of the study.

During the procedure, the patient lies on his side with his knees drawn to his chest. With the help of intravenous anesthesia, he falls into a shallow sleep. The anesthesiologist monitors the patient's condition throughout the entire procedure. The coloproctologist inserts the endoscope into the intestines only after the patient falls asleep. Since light anesthesia is used for pain relief, you can go home immediately after its effect ends; a hospital stay is not required. Upon completion of the procedure, you can consult a proctologist who will interpret the results of the study.

In some cases, after a colonoscopy under anesthesia, the patient may experience slight discomfort due to the fact that during the examination a small amount of air is sometimes introduced into the intestines to improve visibility. However, the work of an experienced doctor and the use of modern equipment make it possible to minimize all unpleasant sensations.

Diet before colonoscopy

Diet is one of the stages of preparation for a colonoscopy examination. 3 days before the upcoming procedure, you should completely exclude from your diet foods rich in fiber and carbohydrates, which cause excess gas formation in the intestines. These include: bread, cabbage, radishes, grapes, peas, pearl barley, carbonated drinks, smoked and pickled foods, chocolate and baked goods. You should not get carried away with dairy products during this period. On the contrary, fermented milk drinks are allowed during the three preparatory days. They have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora, reducing fermentation processes.

In order to reduce gas formation in the intestines, especially people predisposed to this phenomenon, are prescribed Espumisan tablets or Smecta powders.

The night before the examination, a light dinner is allowed no later than 18:00. At night you can drink a glass of kefir or fermented baked milk. On the morning of your colonoscopy, you should avoid food and, if possible, water.

Colonoscopy under anesthesia in Moscow

At the Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences, colonoscopy is performed using modern equipment. Thin endoscopes and high-quality optical equipment allow you to obtain accurate data with a minimum of discomfort for the patient. For anesthesia, harmless drugs are used, which are completely eliminated from the body within a few hours after the examination.

High-quality latest equipment and the work of experienced doctors allow:

  • carry out the procedure as carefully and carefully as possible;
  • perform tissue sampling or endoscopic treatment as necessary;
  • correctly interpret the research results.

The high quality of the service provided allows the attending physician to obtain correct information about the patient’s condition, make an accurate diagnosis at an early stage of the pathology and begin treatment immediately.

Advantages of visiting the RAS Medical Center:

  • attentive and sensitive attitude towards each patient;
  • use of modern equipment;
  • the possibility of performing the procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia;
  • the ability to study hard-to-reach parts of the intestine;
  • correct and accurate interpretation of research results by experienced, highly qualified specialists.

Contraindications to colonoscopy under anesthesia:

  • hypertension 3 degrees;
  • condition after a stroke;
  • severe pulmonary and heart failure;
  • severe forms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (increased risk of intestinal perforation);
  • adhesive disease;
  • peritonitis.

Be sure to tell your doctor about the following risk factors:

  • pregnancy;
  • history of epilepsy;
  • allergies to anesthetic drugs;
  • psychiatric or neurological diseases;
  • blood clotting disorder.

How is elastometry (elastography) of the liver performed?

Liver elastometry is a modern, non-traumatic technique that allows you to determine the degree of liver fibrosis (according to Metavir) within 5-10 minutes by measuring the elasticity of the liver tissue. The elasticity (density) of the liver is a precise physical parameter expressed in kiloPascals (kPa). Measurements are taken at dozens of points, increasing the ability to evaluate a larger area. The degree of elasticity, reflecting the degree of fibrosis, is determined by the device without the participation of the researcher, which eliminates subjective errors (human factor) when assessing the result. The simplicity and comfort of the examination for the patient makes this procedure as accessible as an ultrasound examination. The correspondence of the results obtained by elastometry with the degree of fibrosis and the results obtained by histological examination (biopsy) has been proven in thousands of patients.

The ability to quickly, objectively and comfortably determine the degree of fibrosis for the patient significantly expands the possibilities of diagnosing the condition of the liver in viral hepatitis. A more accurate assessment of the liver condition allows timely decisions to be made about starting antiviral therapy and a more objective assessment of its results.

. It is also very important to note that the usual standard liver examinations - biochemical (ALT, AST) and ultrasound do not always really correspond to the severity of fibrosis. Quite often, normal values ​​can occur even with a high degree of fibrosis. In such cases, incorrect decisions to refuse treatment can lead to the rapid formation of cirrhosis.

Thus, liver elastometry / elastography allows:

  • Quickly assess the extent of liver damage
  • Quickly make a decision on prescribing antiviral therapy for viral hepatitis
  • Monitor the safety of therapy and evaluate its effectiveness

Consultation with a proctologist

The Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences employs doctors who not only see patients, but also engage in scientific activities. The clinic’s specialists are always up to date with the latest advances in the relevant fields of medicine.

Advantages of visiting a proctologist at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

  • delicate, ethical, attentive attitude of the doctor to the patient;
  • clear and precise advice;
  • effective diagnostics;
  • optimal treatment plan using modern methods.

An appointment with a proctologist is required to receive a referral for a colonoscopy. After the study, the doctor examines the data obtained, makes an accurate diagnosis and develops a treatment plan.

What is elastometry or liver elastography?

Elastometry (elasthoraphy) or, as it is also called, liver fibroscanning
is a modern, non-invasive, non-surgical method for diagnosing the degree of fibrosis and the degree of fatty hepatosis, liver steatosis.

Unlike a biopsy, elastometry (elastography) of the liver allows you to study the entire organ, rather than a single fragment, which ensures high reliability of the results of the examination using the elastometry method. Liver elastometry - examination prices:

on PROMOTION! (Moscow, Park Kultury metro station)

You can get tested:

  • from 9:00 to 17:30 on weekdays
  • from 9:00 to 15:00 on Saturday

Sign up by phone

+7

Seven days a week from 9:00 to 21:00

Request a call back

What do the liver fibroscan results indicate?

Results of fibroscanning of the liver - based on the results of elastometry, the following conditions are diagnosed: F0 healthy liver F1 - F3 degree of fibrosis F4 cirrhosis of the liver
The main goal of treatment of viral hepatitis is the fight against developing cirrhosis. This is why it is so important to be able to accurately and easily assess the degree of fibrosis before treatment, during treatment and after treatment. Assessing the elasticity of liver tissue using the FibroScan device gives this opportunity to the doctor, and most importantly, to the patient.

You can get tested:

  • from 9:00 to 17:30 on weekdays
  • from 9:00 to 15:00 on Saturday

Sign up by phone

+7

Seven days a week from 9:00 to 21:00

Request a call back

You can discuss the results of the examination with a specialist on the same day for free.

Elastography, elastometry and liver fibroscanning - what's the difference?

Fiber scanning

liver is called an examination performed using the FibroScan device. The device operates on patented VCTE (Vibration-controlled Transient elastography) technology, which allows diagnosing the condition of liver tissue based on measuring their elasticity, with a graphical image displayed on the monitor.

In this connection, this diagnostic method is called by different names: Liver fibroscanning

,
Liver elastometry
or
Liver elastography
.

Elastography, elastometry and liver fibroscanning are all the same thing

.

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