Chronic diarrhea other imaging findings
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Chronic diarrhea Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]
Overview
An endoscopic evaluation should be considered if there are persistent symptoms, inconclusive diagnosis, or failure to respond to therapy. Guidelines for the role of endoscopy in the management of patients with diarrhea have been published by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Other imaging findings
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy can be used as an initial diagnostic tool in patients with chronic diarrhea who are pregnant or have significant comorbidities where a colonoscopy is contraindicated. Flexible sigmoidoscopy may however be sufficient in the diagnosis as long as biopsy samples are obtained for histologic evaluation even when the mucosa appears normal to rule out causes of chronic diarrhea such as microscopic colitis.[1]
=Colonoscopy
In patients with chronic diarrhea, colonoscopy with biopsy is valuable for the diagnosis of IBD, microscopic inflammatory disorders, and colorectal neoplasia
References
- ↑ ASGE Standards of Practice Committee. Shen B, Khan K, Ikenberry SO, Anderson MA, Banerjee S; et al. (2010). "The role of endoscopy in the management of patients with diarrhea". Gastrointest Endosc. 71 (6): 887–92. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2009.11.025. PMID 20346452.