Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Small bowel series
Introduction
A small bowel follow-through, also called small bowel series, is a radiologic examination of the small intestine from the distal duodenum/duodenojejunal junction to the ileocecal valve.
An X-ray examination of the most proximal small bowel (duodenum) is typically done together with an examination of the esophagus and stomach and is called an upper GI series.
Indications
Indications
- Suspected small bowel neoplasm.
- Hematochezia.
- Positive fecal occult blood test.
Pathology of the small bowel is uncommon. Therefore, upper GI and lower GI endoscopy is often done prior to small bowel follow-through.
External links
External links
- Small bowel follow through – med.umich.edu
- Images of a small bowel follow through – harvard.edu