An intestinal ultrasound is a noninvasive ultrasound of the lower gastrointestinal tract that provides highly detailed images of the small intestine and colon. This type of ultrasound reveals whether inflammation and other bowel complications associated with IBD are present, as well as monitoring a patient's response to treatment and their progress over time.
Unlike colonoscopies and endoscopies, the pain-free procedure doesn't require any bowel preparation, fasting or sedation and allows the specially trained gastroenterologist to provide immediate feedback and discussion of the findings. While an intestinal ultrasound cannot replace endoscopy for diagnosing IBD, it can reduce the number of colonoscopies and endoscopies needed to evaluate inflammation and track the patient's condition over time.
Board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists Dr. Lina Felipez, who leads the intestinal ultrasound program and also serves as associate medical director of the IBD Center and director of IBD Research and Dr. Luis Caicedo Oquendo, director of the Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Fellowship Program and medical director of the Fecal Care Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, are among only a handful of physicians in the nation who have received specialized training to perform intestinal ultrasounds.
"Intestinal ultrasound is a game changer for anyone diagnosed with IBD," said Dr. Felipez. "Nicklaus Children's Hospital is pleased to offer this state-of-the-art technology to children and teens so no family ever needs to leave the State to receive the highest quality care and personalized treatment they need."
About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Your Child Matters Most:
Founded in 1950 as Variety Children's Hospital, Nicklaus Children's is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately 850 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 307-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor.
For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org
