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CT Enteroclysis vs. Small Bowel Follow Through

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/5/2008 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Since my disease is in terminal ileum I am trying to figure out why the covering doctor wants me to have a small bowel follow through and not a CT Enterography.  Anyone know the difference for us crohnies???  I know she is trying to look at my narrowing at the terminal ileum. 

Thanks

Christine

Posted 8/5/2008 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Certainly CT Enterography seems to give the better views - but - it really all depends on the skill of the radiologist actually running the procedure AND their ability to recognize what they are looking at. Some are more skilled w/the SBFT than they are w/the CTE. And your covering doctor might be aware of that. Also, there is considerably more radiation exposure w/a CTE than w/a SBFT and your covering doctor may be taking that into consideration.

I know between COPD and Crohn's I've had so many xray and CT procedures its a wonder that I don't glow in the dark!!!

Posted 8/5/2008 4:39 PM (GMT 0)

CT Enterography is considered to be the better test in terms of pictures they can take during the procedure. But when my GI booked me for one I cancelled it and requested a SBFT. I've never been good with swallowing tubes which is what is required for the CTE. Completely freaks me out. But I know people who had it done and it was no problem. The SBFT is a much easier procedure for me eventhough swallowing all of that liquid isn't that much fun either. But at least there isn't a tube being stuck down my throat! It's bad enough having tubes going into the other end! doesn't it feel like the only thing doctors know how to do is stick things into you all the time? :-)

Posted 8/5/2008 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
You do NOT have to swallow tubes for a ct enterography.  I have had one.

Posted 8/5/2008 5:46 PM (GMT 0)

Wait what tubes??? I didn't have to swallow tubes for my first test??? 

Posted 8/5/2008 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry everyone. A CT Enterography is a CT with IV contrast. A CT Enteroclysis is where they feed a tube either through your nose or down your throat through which barium is pushed through. This is to ensure that the folds of the intestines get stretched out a bit and covered in barium. I got the two confused because the original subject line refers to a Enteroclysis procedure while the body of this thread refers to the Enterography. Sorry if I scared you Nikki!

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