Diagnosis And Treatment Of Small Bowel Disorders

Over the last few decades, remarkable progress has been made in understanding the aetiology and pathophysiology of diseases and many new theories emphasize the importance of the small bowel ‘ecosystem’ in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic illness. Emerging factors such as microbiome, stem cells, innate intestinal immunity and the enteric nervous system along with mucosal and endothelial barriers have key role in the development of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. Therefore, the small intestine is considered key player in metabolic disease development, including diabetes mellitus, and other diet-related disorders such as celiac and non-celiac enteropathies. Another major field is drug metabolism and its interaction with microbiota. Moreover, the emergence of gut-brain, gut-liver and gut-blood barriers points toward the important role of small intestine in the pathogenesis of common disorders, such as liver disease, hypertension and neurodegenerative disease. However, the small bowel remains an organ that is difficult to fully access and assess and accurate diagnosis often poses a clinical challenge. Eventually, the therapeutic potential remains untapped. Therefore, it is due time to direct our interest towards the small intestine and unravel the interplay between small-bowel and other gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI related maladies.

Over the last few decades, remarkable progress has been made in understanding the aetiology and pathophysiology of diseases and many new theories emphasize the importance of the small bowel 'ecosystem' in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic illness. Emerging factors such as microbiome, stem cells, innate intestinal immunity and the enteric nervous system along with mucosal and endothelial barriers have key role in the development of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. Therefore, the small intestine is considered key player in metabolic disease development, including diabetes mellitus, and other diet-related disorders such as celiac and non-celiac enteropathies. Another major field is drug metabolism and its interaction with microbiota. Moreover, the emergence of gut-brain, gut-liver and gut-blood barriers points toward the important role of small intestine in the pathogenesis of common disorders, such as liver disease, hypertension and neurodegenerative disease. However, the small bowel remains an organ that is difficult to fully access and assess and accurate diagnosis often poses a clinical challenge. Eventually, the therapeutic potential remains untapped. Therefore, it is due time to direct our interest towards the small intestine and unravel the interplay between small-bowel and other gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI related maladies.

The aim of this radiological atlas is to connect pathophysiology to imaging using many illustrations and examples, emphasizing the capabilities and limitations of multidetector computed tomography and its role in the correct management approach to these disorders. Furthermore, the place of allied imaging modalities (plain film and ultrasound) in the clinical algorithm is comprehensively illustrated.

This open access book deals with imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, an area that has seen considerable advances over the past several years, driven by clinical as well as technological developments. The respective chapters, written by internationally respected experts in their fields, focus on imaging diagnosis and interventional therapies in abdominal and pelvic disease; they cover all relevant imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. As such, the book offers a comprehensive review of the state of the art in imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. It will be of interest to general radiologists, radiology residents, interventional radiologists, and clinicians from other specialties who want to update their knowledge in this area.

This volume reviews the history of endoscopy to diagnose small bowel disorders, places other diagnostic modalities into perspective, and defines the role of capsule endoscopy and per overtube assisted and retrograde enteroscopy in disorders as disparate as gluten sensitive enteropathy, small bowel neoplasms, and inflammatory bowel disease. The book further details the nonoperative approach to NSAID strictures, foreign body retrieval (to include impacted capsule endoscopes), and the diagnosis and treatment of chronically bleeding angiodysplastic lesions. The text is also richly illustrated with over 150 images and includes online video segments. Written by experts in the field, Endoscopy in Small Bowel Disorders is a valuable resource for medical and surgical residents, gastroenterologists in training and practice, therapeutic endoscopists, and general and colorectal surgeons.​

The diagnosis and treatment of commonly encountered bowel diseases, including diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease of the colon and rectal cancer are reviewed. Pharmacologic treatment is discussed in detail. The ACG guidelines for management of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are included.