Intestinal Ultrasound (IUS) for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

At Houston Methodist, intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is reshaping how inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is monitored and managed. Unlike traditional tests such as colonoscopy, MRI or CT scans, intestinal ultrasound does not require sedation, radiation or bowel preparation, and allows our gastroenterologists to assess inflammation in real time — often during a routine clinic visit. 

 

By identifying inflammation earlier and with greater precision, our specialists can modify your care, offering you a faster, more convenient and more personalized approach to managing gastrointestinal disease and symptoms.

What Is Intestinal Ultrasound?

Intestinal ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging technique that provides rapid insight into bowel wall inflammation. While gastrointestinal symptoms do not always reflect underlying disease activity, IUS can detect inflammation early — even when symptoms are mild or absent — helping our specialists make accurate, evidence-based treatment decisions.

 

IUS is an effective tool for evaluating patients with:

 

  • Confirmed or suspected IBD, who require ongoing monitoring or quick assessment
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms without a clear cause, when distinguishing inflammation from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is essential
  • IBD during pregnancy, when avoiding radiation, sedation, and invasive procedures is important
  • Ulcerative colitis
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What Are the Benefits of Intestinal Ultrasound?

Intestinal ultrasound provides a detailed, real-time view of the intestines, allowing specialists to assess disease activity quickly and comfortably. In many cases, it replaces the need for colonoscopy when evaluating IBD flares or monitoring response to treatment.

 

Because IUS does not require bowel prep, anesthesia or a separate imaging appointment, it simplifies testing and enables more proactive, precise disease management — allowing treatment decisions to be made during the same clinic visit.

 

Benefits of intestinal ultrasound include:

 

  • Comparable accuracy to colonoscopy, MRI and CT for assessing IBD activity
  • Convenient evaluation during routine appointment
  • Differentiates IBD from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Early detection of inflammation before symptoms appear
  • Immediate visualization of bowel wall thickness and active inflammation
  • Pregnancy-safe imaging when other diagnostic tests may be limited
  • No fasting or bowel prep
  • No radiation or anesthesia
  • Reduced need for frequent colonoscopies

 

Intestinal ultrasound can also offer peace of mind if your symptoms are unrelated to inflammation, helping avoid unnecessary colonoscopies or changes in therapy.

Why Choose Houston Methodist for Intestinal Ultrasound

At Houston Methodist, we integrate intestinal ultrasound directly into IBD clinic visits, allowing timely, data-driven decision-making that enhances both safety and convenience. Our program is led by internationally trained IBD specialists who now help train other physicians across the country.

 

Because IUS provides an accurate picture of inflammation, our team can adjust medications, escalate or adjust therapy and assess disease progression without delay — supporting earlier intervention, fewer complications and a more seamless patient care experience.

A New Standard of Digestive Care

Our approach to intestinal ultrasound

IUS is more comfortable than traditional diagnostic methods, can be performed by our gastroenterologists during an in-person clinic visit, and provides prompt, actionable insights.
 
During an intestinal ultrasound, gel is applied to the abdomen, and a small, handheld probe is moved gently across the skin. Patients remain awake and comfortable throughout the exam and get the opportunity to see what their bowels look like on the screen (or with the physician). The entire process takes only a few minutes. The ultrasound captures detailed images of the small intestine and colon, allowing our doctors to:

  • Evaluate bowel wall thickness
  • Identify areas of active inflammation
  • Assess narrowing, swelling or fluid
  • Monitor response to treatment over time
  • Pinpoint areas of pain during the exam
Specialized Education & Training

Improving outcomes, expanding access

Houston Methodist is a national leader in advancing intestinal ultrasound for IBD care, offering advantages unmatched in the region such as:

 

  • A first-in-the-nation program: We are the first adult gastroenterology center in the U.S. to incorporate intestinal ultrasound into routine clinical practice.
  • Immediate treatment adjustments: Because results are available instantly, our specialists can modify care during the same visit, preventing delays that could lead to IBD flares or complications.
  • Only center in Houston offering IUS: Patients have access to a diagnostic tool not yet available at all other Houston hospitals.
  • Trusted IBD expertise: Our specialists are actively involved in teaching and shaping national standards for intestinal ultrasound, helping GI programs and trainees across the country adopt this advanced technique.

Hear How Intestinal Ultrasound Supports Real Patient Care

Managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often requires ongoing monitoring and frequent testing. Intestinal ultrasound offers a noninvasive way for patients and physicians to evaluate bowel health together in real time. Hear from patients who share how intestinal ultrasound has helped them better understand and manage their inflammatory bowel disease — with less disruption to daily life.

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