The utility of IUS as a diagnostic tool has been recognised by the European Crohn’s Colitis Organisation (ECCO) and the European Society of Gastrointestinal Radiology (ESGAR) consensus guidelines as a tool to use in the diagnosis and monitoring of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Standardisation of internationally accredited training programs and rapidly emerging data now support the introduction of this patient centred, cost-effective, rapid point of care test. The greatest utility lies in the assessment and management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. IUS also has an emerging role in the assessment of functional disorders.

Ultrasound of the small and large bowel (Intestinal ultrasound) is a method for visualising both normal and diseased bowel segments, utilising standard ultrasonographic technology. Intestinal Ultrasound can be completed by standard ultrasound machines utilising a 1-6MHz curvilinear low-frequency probe and a linear high-frequency probe, ranging up to 18MHz. Patients require no pre-test preparation. Examinations usually take 15-20 minutes, but can be shorter if a focused ultrasound is being conducted monitoring a pre-existing disease segment. Further to transabdominal ultrasound, transperineal ultrasound allows for accurate demonstration of complicated perianal disease processes.