If there is a suspicion of developing dangerous intestinal diseases, it becomes necessary to conduct additional studies. As a rule, modern hardware methods are recommended, since they are the most informative. Often, the patient is faced with a choice: an intestinal MRI or a colonoscopy - which is better for diagnosing a particular disease in each individual case, determines the treating gastroenterologist, but preference is usually given to the second method of investigation.
Why is it considered that a colonoscopy or fibronocoloscopy is better than an MRI of the intestine?
Most patients, of course, prefer to examine the intestines through magnetic resonance imaging. Among the main advantages of this technology is absolute painlessness. In general, MRI is much more comfortable than a colonoscopy, since no devices are introduced into the intestine. The procedure is carried out by the method of circular scanning, during which the person is located on a horizontal platform so that the area of investigation is inside the tomograph.
Colonoscopy, in turn, if not painful, then a rather unpleasant diagnostic measure. Due to the fact that a special apparatus with a microscopic chamber (colonoscope) is inserted directly through the anus to the end of the dome of the cecum, discomfort may occur, although local anesthesia is preliminarily performed. In addition, for a full inspection of the body, air in the intestinal cavity is required, especially in bends.
Given the nuances of the implementation of the measures under consideration, it becomes clear that colonoscopy is the most informative way of diagnosing any intestinal diseases. MRI is usually prescribed as an additional, rather than the main, research method. If the esophagus and stomach are reflected in a very detailed way by means of a tomography, then choosing what is best - an MRI or a colon colonoscopy, it is better to give preference to the latter option. Only sounding allows you to accurately assess the state of the described area of the digestive system. Magnetic resonance imaging does not cope with the task because of the anatomical features of the intestine - the presence of multiple bends and loops, which are superimposed on each other.
It is worth paying attention to another advantage of colonoscopy. The probe used during the study is equipped not only with a miniature video camera that broadcasts an image to a medical monitor. The colonoscope is also equipped with a device that allows you to immediately make a biopsy (take a sample) of tumors found in the intestine. Thus, the patient is relieved of the need to re-conduct the procedure to clarify the nature of the build-up or tumor.
Whether it is possible to replace a colonoscopy MRI?
Even after a detailed consultation with a gastroenterologist, patients continue to wonder whether an MRI can replace a colonoscopy.
If necessary, confirm a difficult or difficult diagnosis of MRI is not assigned instead of a colonoscopy. Among the alternatives are sometimes permitted irrigoscopy, anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy . But all these methods of examination of the intestine are accompanied by almost the same unpleasant sensations.