Contrast allergy refers to the gadolinium, or similar, drug injected to allow the intestines to be visualised via MRI.
Excellent information!
The contrast agents mentioned above should be discussed to your satisfaction pre -procedure
Diabetes or liver/kidney issues will require a
very thorough risk/benefit analysis of the type of procedure performed and the contrast agents used
It's not generally known, but ultrasound - when used by those with the correct training - can show equal, if not better, images of the intestines. It's a shame it's not more widely used at diagnosis / early stage disease leaving the more invasive procedures for when they are really needed.
Excellent point!
I can tell you've been down the rabbit hole on this topic.
Imaging is necessary for a good understanding of
your particular clinical presentation prior to formulating a solid, sensible and sustainable treatment plan.
Without specific imaging data, treatment will be based on a lot of "guesswork" ... not a good way to approach treatment!
Imaging (of differing types) must also be repeated at appropriate times during treatment to asses progress / the efficactisocosity of medications.
I am amazed at how underutilized some techniques are here in the USA that are commonplace in other countries
I've been having some impactful extra intestinal manifestations (arthritic and vision) and imaging is paramount to assessing root cause.
I've been reading about the various imaging approaches and the types of results can be expexected from each technique, as well as the challenges they bring to the table
... lotttsa study data, many different options and opinions on those options...
I have to admit to being
waaay out of my depth when reading many of them ... pretty technical stuff!
this one caught my eye
study on imaging outcomes
... not so much for the study or it's conclusions but for the "conflict of interest" statement
holy cow, that's a looooooong list
[sceptisism on]
Can't help but wonder what stocks are in the portfolios of those authors (lol, double lol, and lol from the beach in Bermuda lol )
[/
skeptisism off]
One thing to always bear in mind is that there is much we can do as patients to ensure success in many areas of our treatment.
Do your research!
Ask Questions!
Advocate
strongly for your self on selecting the type of test and it's timing when you discuss things with staff.
Prepare yourself for the procedure as best as you can
(soft / low residue diets as well as stopping certain medications and the like)
Finally,
relax!
These folks do it for a living and they are good at it
... put yourself at ease, ask more questions/joke with them whatever you gottta do
Make it plain you want the best possible results and will do whatever you can on your end to achieve them!
Once you develop a repoire with them they will *generally* exceed your highest expectations!
tl;dr;
imaging is expensive/impactful
MAKE IT COUNT!
