Definition

• Imaging studies are used to diagnose a wide variety of GI diseases.
• Interventional and noninterventional imaging techniques are also used to guide or execute therapeutic procedures.
• Radiographic (x-ray) studies
  
  • Contrast radiography uses radiopaque material to improve visualization of structures in x-ray studies.
    
    • Barium swallow
    • Contrast enemas
  • Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
    • X-ray study using contrast material to outline the liver drainage system
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
    • Endoscopic technique used in conjunction with contrast-enhanced radiographic study of the bile ducts and pancreas
  • Angiography
  • Use of radiopaque dye to visualize blood vessels
  • Angiographic embolization or vasoconstriction is a radiographic intervention to stop bleeding or reduce vessel size.
• CT
  • X-ray technique that generates computer-reconstructed 3-dimensional images of internal organs
  • Virtual CT colonoscopy
    • An new, noninvasive technique for colon cancer screening, for patients where endoscopy is undesirable
• MRI
  • Computer-generated diagnostic images created using high-power magnetic fields and radiofrequencies rather than x-irradiation
  • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
    • Visualization of bile ducts and pancreas using MRI
• Ultrasound
  • Visualization of internal organs using ultrasonic waves
  • Lithotripsy
    • Use of focused sound waves to fragment gallstones in patients in whom surgery is contraindicated
• Scintigraphy
  • Diagnostic nuclear medicine studies using pharmaceuticals labeled with radionuclides, including:
    • Radionuclide bleeding scans
    • Radiolabeled leukocyte scans
    • Biliary radioisotope scans (HIDA, DIDA, DISIDA, etc.)
    • Esophageal and gastric emptying studies
    • Small-intestinal or colonic transit studies
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
  • A 3-dimensional imaging technique that demonstrates function and structure using radioactive isotopes

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