The small intestine or small bowel is the part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and the large intestine or colon. The small intestine is the longest part of the gastrointestinal tract with a length of 20-23 feet. The enormous length of the small bowel allows for great control of absorption of food and nutrients. However, the length of the small intestine makes it particularly challenging to diagnose and treat small bowel diseases.
Fortunately, CTGI providers have extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of patients with small bowel disorders. This includes small bowel Crohn’s disease, gastrointestinal bleeding (tumors, ulcers, and flat vascular lesions called angioectasias), as well as small bowel malabsorptive disorders (lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease, and short gut syndrome). Imaging studies such as CT or MRI or capsule endoscopy can be used to diagnose small bowel problems.
CTGI performs the highest volume of capsule endoscopy in Connecticut. During a capsule endoscopy, a patient swallows a pill sized video capsule which creates a video of the entire small bowel (see capsule endoscopy section for full details). Findings on capsule endoscopy can be further evaluated and managed with deep enteroscopy procedures (such as push enteroscopy and Spiral enteroscopy) or via intraoperative enteroscopy. CTGI is one of only a couple of practices in CT with extensive experience using these techniques to diagnose and treat small bowel conditions. Our group also performs our own breath testing studies (see procedure section).
