Bowel Ultrasound
Real-time clarity for gut health.
Bowel ultrasound is a fast, accurate, and radiation-free imaging solution designed to bring clarity to gastrointestinal assessment. With high-resolution visualization and real-time evaluation, our clinicians can help detect inflammation, monitor disease activity, and support treatment decisions with confidence.
£350 (£50 deposit)
If you are looking for a more comprehensive assessment, we recommend our Gut Health Package.
Bowel ultrasound is a safe, comfortable, and radiation-free scan that helps your care team understand what’s happening inside your digestive system in real time.
It’s often used for people with ongoing gut symptoms or conditions like Crohn’s disease or colitis, and it can be repeated as often as needed without risk. The scan shows how your bowel looks and moves, helping your team make faster, clearer decisions about your care.
Bowel ultrasound can help identify:
- Inflammation - areas where the bowel wall is swollen or irritated.
- Signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – such as changes linked to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and help track how these change over time.
- Areas of narrowing (strictures) - places where the bowel has become tighter and may slow things down.
- Abscesses - pockets of infection near the bowel.
- Fistulas - small abnormal tunnels that can form between sections of bowel or nearby tissues.
- How the bowel is moving (motility) - to see if things are working normally.
- Fluid collections – extra fluid that may indicate a problem.
FAQs
What causes bowel problems?
Bowel problems can have many causes. Some are temporary, like infections, food intolerances or constipation. Others are longer-term conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Sometimes symptoms can also come from inflammation, reduced blood flow, or issues with how the bowel moves. Your doctor will look at your symptoms together with tests like bowel ultrasound to understand what’s going on.
What symptoms might prompt a bowel ultrasound?
You might consider getting a bowel ultrasound scan if you're experiencing:
- Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloating or distension
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood or mucus in your stool
- Changes in how often you go to the toilet
- Symptoms linked to known IBD
- A flare-up of Crohn’s or colitis
It’s a quick, comfortable way to check for inflammation or other problems inside the bowel.
What kind of issues can a bowel ultrasound diagnose?
Bowel ultrasound can help identify a range of issues, including:
- Areas of bowel inflammation
- Signs suggestive of IBD (like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), and monitor how these change over time
- Areas of narrowing (strictures)
- Abscesses and fluid collections
- Fistulas
- Problems with blood flow to the bowel
- How the bowel is moving (motility changes)
When should I see a doctor for bowel issues?
You should seek medical advice if you have:
- Symptoms that don’t go away after a few weeks
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Blood in your stool
- Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
- A known bowel condition and think you may be having a flare
How do I get my results?
Your scan will be carried out and interpreted by a consultant radiologist with specialist expertise in bowel ultrasound. They’ll talk you through what they’re seeing during the scan, answer any questions you have, and explain the next steps. After your appointment, you’ll receive a full written report by email - we aim to deliver this within 24 hours.
What we do
- Consultant led ultrasound imaging
- Comfortable, informative sessions to give clarity on your health concerns
- Referrals, advice and suggested treatment plans if anything needs to be taken further
Unsure what support you need?
Book a consultation with a specialist consultant for £50 to discuss your problems, and if there is an imaging or procedure the consultation fee can be put towards the cost.
