Diseases of the digestive system are often difficult to diagnose and treat, frequently causing months or even years of debilitating symptoms. But a new type of imaging helps doctors and patients better address serious intestinal conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Starting Dec. 30, South Jersey-based Virtua Health will be the first in New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region to offer the patient-centered technology, called intestinal ultrasound (IUS).

“This is a real game-changer for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),” said Dr. Sanket Patel, director of the Virtua Crohn’s & Colitis Center in Moorestown.

The specialized ultrasound is fast, accurate, and risk-free, explained the gastroenterologist – who is an IBD patient himself. It has many advantages over conventional imaging techniques, such as time-consuming, resource-intensive MRI and CT, and more invasive tests like colonoscopy.

“I can perform IUS right in the office, see exactly what’s going on in the patient’s intestines, and show it to them while I’m conducting the scan,” said Dr. Patel, who is fellowship-trained in IBD. “We can make care decisions immediately.”

IUS will also advance health equity by improving access to care for patients who would otherwise face barriers to obtaining traditional tests (CT, MRI, and endoscopies). These hurdles can include challenges with scheduling, insurance, dependent care, and transportation.

Moreover, IUS will support patients’ participation in clinical trials by reducing the need for repeated colonoscopies as part of the research. “Now, they can have a simple ultrasound, instead,” Dr. Patel noted.

“This is leading-edge IBD care, available at just a handful of centers nationwide. The next closest provider is in New York,” said Dr. Jennifer Khelil, Virtua’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “We’re very proud to offer this life-changing advance to our patients, as part of our Crohn’s & Colitis Center’s comprehensive services.”

A Patient’s Experience
Elsie Soleymani of Mount Laurel received IUS from Dr. Patel as Virtua prepared to officially launch the service. The 64-year-old has experienced many complications from Crohn’s since her 2010 diagnosis. She’s endured incapacitating fatigue, bouts of severe diarrhea, and even a heart attack related to her IBD.

After her last colonoscopy showed increased bowel inflammation, Dr. Patel changed her medication. Two months later, the physician performed an IUS to check on Soleymani’s condition.

“He could see the medication was working and that most of the damage had already healed,” said Soleymani. “The ultrasound gave me a lot of reassurance I was on the right path to recovery.”

“IUS helps patients see the need for treatment as well as their progress, so they’re more likely to adhere to treatment and feel more confident in their care,” noted Dr. Patel.

Convenient, Riskless Imaging
The non-invasive procedure uses sound waves to create images on a screen – similar to the ultrasounds women receive during pregnancy, but with more advanced equipment that achieves higher definition.

Although IUS for Crohn’s and colitis has become commonplace in many industrialized nations, it is just now gaining acceptance in this country.

A physician with specialized training and certification from the International Bowel Ultrasound Group (IBUS) does the scans, which vividly show the condition of the patient’s intestines in real-time. The patient gets a clear view, too.

For example, Dr. Patel can point out inflammation – which appears bright blue or red on the screen  – and unhealthy thickening of the intestinal walls. The ultrasound can reveal complications that may be missed on other diagnostic tests. It can show any narrowed areas, abnormal connections called fistulas, or abscesses that could cause problems.

“We can see whether their treatment is working and immediately make decisions about any changes to their care,” the physician added.

IUS can show patients why they need certain treatments, which can include surgery. It can rapidly reveal life-threatening conditions, such as intestinal blockages or abscesses that could rupture the bowel or cause life-threatening infection if left untreated.

Without the option of IUS, many IBD patients need frequent colonoscopies, especially if their symptoms worsen. Another benefit of IUS: it can help patients avoid exposure to radiation by replacing certain X-rays and CT scans.

With IUS, the patient simply lies on a table while the doctor glides a gel-coated wand atop the abdomen, gently pressing down on various areas. The ultrasound images appear on a monitor near the doctor and patient. Patients don’t need to fast or prep, and the process takes about 20 minutes.

About Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD affects about 3 million Americans and rates are rising. Most patients are diagnosed between ages 15 and 35, and may require lifelong treatment and/or monitoring.

The condition encompasses Crohn’s disease (chronic inflammation of the digestive tract) and ulcerative colitis (ulcers on the lining of the colon and rectum).

Without proper treatment, these conditions can cause destructive inflammation and permanent damage to the intestines, and lead to colon cancer.

IBD usually causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. It can flare up at any time, often with alarming symptoms like bowel incontinence, bleeding, nighttime awakening, and weight loss. IBD can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can overlap with other gastrointestinal problems. Often, patients receive a misdiagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common condition marked by chronic abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas.

IBS can often be managed with diet and lifestyle changes, as well as medications to control symptoms. IBD, on the other hand, typically requires different medications, the challenge of finding effective drugs for a given patient, and even surgery to remove damaged sections of the intestines.

While IBD’s cause is unknown, scientists believe it’s triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and changes in the gut microbiome that affect the immune system.

Comprehensive IBD Care
IUS is the latest innovation available at Virtua’s Crohn’s and Colitis Center, which provides expert care and personalized support in one convenient location.

“We’re committed to being the number-one choice in the tri-state region for IBD care, and that includes bringing the newest advances to our patients,” said Virtua executive Dr. Khelil.

Virtua’s team includes experienced gastroenterologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating IBD with the latest therapies, a registered dietician who develops nutritional plans tailored to each patient, experienced colorectal surgeons specializing in minimally invasive techniques, and a dedicated nurse navigator who expedites scheduling and coordinates support services.

“Our short-term goals are for patients to feel better and become confident about managing their disease,” explained Dr. Patel. “Our long-term goals are to promote bowel healing, decrease the risk of cancer, and help people get back to their normal lives.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (856) 291-8680.