Table 1.

Advantages of IUS as point-of-care tool

Convenience Non-invasive Nil or minimal preparation Real-time results Low cost Ionising radiation-free In-patient and out-patient settings
Disease diagnosis Prompt identification of inflammation in work-up of gastrointestinal symptoms Accurate visualisation of intra- and extramural complications Refining diagnoses in work-up of gastrointestinal symptoms
Disease monitoring Early detection of inflammation during flare Discerning between flare and superimposed functional gut disorder
Disease severity Evaluation of fistulae, abscesses, and strictures Differentiation between abscesses and inflammatory masses
Disease therapy Assessment of therapeutic response to titrate ongoing medical management Facilitating early or prompt medical management

IUS, intestinal ultrasound.