health

No single test can be used to diagnose Crohn disease. In addition to
blood tests to check for anemia and stool tests to check for blood in the
stool, the four tests most commonly used to diagnose Crohn are barium
studies, computed tomography (CT) scans, sigmoidoscopies, and colonoscopies.
In a barium study, the patient is given barium in enema form
to coat the lining of the colon and rectum. Air is then blown into the
colon in order to fill it. The resultant x-ray can detect abnormalities in
the lining of the intestine. CT scans are useful in detecting fistulas and
abscesses.
Sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies require special equipment
inserted into the patient’s body. A sigmoidoscope is a flexible lighted
tube that can be inserted into the rectum and used to examine the last
2 feet (0.6 meters) of the colon. This procedure can be done in a doctor’s
office but does not provide a view of the entire colon. A colonoscope is a
long flexible tube attached to a video camera and monitor that allows the
doctor to examine the entire length of the patient’s colon and rectum.
The patient must take a laxative the night before to cleanse the bowel and
may be given a sedative in the doctor’s office to make them more comfortable.
The doctor can take tissue samples from the lining of the bowel for
analysis.