Blog post by Michael Dolinger, MD MBA
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges to healthcare, especially for those living with chronic conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). But out of that crisis came an unexpected silver lining—new ways to manage and treat IBD that don’t rely as heavily on invasive procedures or overburdened hospital systems. One of the most exciting developments is the increased use of Intestinal Ultrasound (IUS), a simple, non-invasive tool that’s changing the game in IBD care.
We can reflect on the lessons learned and the innovations that will stick around from the COVID-19 pandemic to make healthcare better. Let me tell you why Intestinal Ultrasound is one of those breakthroughs that’s here to stay.
What Exactly is Intestinal Ultrasound?
If you’ve ever had an ultrasound, you probably know how easy and painless it is. No sedation, no fasting, just some gel on your skin and a wand that glides over your body. That’s exactly how IUS works, but it’s specifically designed to look at your intestines. For people with IBD, IUS allows doctors to check for inflammation and other issues, like strictures or complications, without needing an invasive endoscopy.
A Pandemic Adoption That’s Changing the Future
When COVID-19 hit, hospitals had to prioritize resources. Procedures like endoscopies, which are typically used to monitor IBD, were postponed or limited. But IBD doesn’t take a break, pandemic or not. People still needed care, and that’s when IUS became a hero for many patients.
In Canada, a team of gastroenterologists started using IUS as part of an emergency plan to manage IBD patients during the first wave of the pandemic. The results? Incredible! Over a few months, nearly 90% of patients received their care with IUS, avoiding the need for hospital visits or invasive procedures.
Why Patients (and Doctors) Love IUS
One of the most striking things about IUS is how much patients prefer it. Think about it—no fasting, no sedation, no hospital stays. Just a quick clinic visit where you get real-time answers. That’s a game-changer for anyone who’s been through the stress of prepping for an endoscopy.
For doctors, IUS also means they can make faster decisions. If there’s inflammation, they can adjust your medication right away. If there’s no active disease, they can offer reassurance without unnecessary treatments. During the pandemic, this tool helped reduce emergency room visits and kept people out of hospitals. Now, we’re seeing how useful it is for everyday IBD management.
Learning from the Pandemic: A New Era in IBD Care
Now that we’ve moved past the peak of the pandemic, the healthcare community is realizing just how valuable Intestinal Ultrasound can be—not just during a crisis, but as a standard part of care for IBD. The lessons learned from those early pandemic days are now shaping a future where IUS could be widely available to people living with IBD.
For many, this will mean fewer invasive tests, quicker treatment decisions, and less anxiety about managing flare-ups. It also offers hope for a more patient-friendly approach to care. IUS is proving to be an essential tool in managing IBD without the usual stress and discomfort.
A Better Path Forward
As we look to the future, the use of IUS is just one example of how the healthcare world adapted during the pandemic and found better solutions. What started as a response to an emergency is now becoming a permanent part of how we manage IBD, giving patients more control over their health and reducing the need for invasive procedures.
If you’re living with IBD, it’s worth talking to your doctor about whether IUS is an option for you. It’s fast, it’s safe, and it could be the key to better, more comfortable care moving forward.
Let’s take what we’ve learned from the toughest of times and use it to make IBD care easier, more effective, and patient-centered. With tools like IUS, the future of IBD management looks brighter than ever.
**Our open access series are blog posts highlighting intestinal ultrasound research that is freely available for public consumption. These blog posts summarize the key points from the latest intestinal ultrasound open access original research, editorials, guides, and consensus statements. The original link to download the article for free in full can be found by clicking here. Otherwise, the summary above should provide some of the valuable information you may be looking for.
