At Harley Street Ultrasound, every Bowel Ultrasound Scan is performed by a Specialist Doctor who will explain their findings as the scan progresses. You will leave with a Full Medical Report, Tailored Advice on any next steps, and Same-Day Results.
If you are experiencing persistent abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, or have been advised to investigate a bowel concern, book yourself a Bowel Ultrasound Scan.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan provides a detailed, real-time assessment of the bowel and surrounding structures. Your Specialist Doctor will evaluate the following during your scan.
In most cases, no special preparation is needed for a Bowel Ultrasound Scan. However, for some patients, your booking team may advise you to drink water beforehand or avoid eating for a short period to ensure the clearest possible images.
When you arrive at Harley Street Ultrasound Group, you will be welcomed by our reception team. Your Specialist Doctor will introduce themselves, explain the scan in full, and answer any questions before starting.
You will lie comfortably on the examination bed. A small amount of warm ultrasound gel is applied to your abdomen, and a handheld probe (transducer) is gently moved across the skin over the area of interest.
The scan typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on what needs to be assessed. There is no pain, no injection, and no radiation.
Your Specialist Doctor will explain what they are seeing on the screen in real time. This is what we mean by Real-Time Findings: if they identify anything that needs attention, they will discuss it with you during the appointment, not weeks later in a letter.
Once the scan is complete, your Specialist Doctor will sit down with you to explain the findings clearly. You will receive a Full Medical Report and Tailored Advice on the Same Day. If further investigation is recommended, your Specialist Doctor will explain exactly what is needed and why.
Your report can be shared directly with your GP or referring consultant, and our team can help arrange any follow-up investigations if required.
Our team are fully registered and regulated for practice in the United Kingdom. Our patients should expect nothing less.
Yes. A dedicated Bowel Ultrasound Scan is specifically designed to assess the bowel and can detect a wide range of bowel problems.
These include bowel wall thickening caused by inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), bowel obstruction, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and fluid collections around the bowel.
A standard abdominal ultrasound may show some bowel-related findings, but a focused Bowel Ultrasound Scan performed by a Specialist Doctor provides a far more detailed assessment.
If you have specific bowel symptoms, requesting a Bowel Ultrasound Scan rather than a general abdominal scan will give your doctor the most useful information.
No. A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is not a test for Bowel Cancer and should not be used for this purpose. The established pathway for bowel cancer investigation is a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) and colonoscopy with biopsy.
If bowel cancer is your primary concern, we would recommend speaking to your GP about the appropriate screening pathway. Your Specialist Doctor can also advise you on this during your appointment.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is designed to assess conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Bowel Obstruction, Appendicitis, and Diverticulitis, where the evidence for its use is well established.
Yes. Modern high-frequency ultrasound can produce detailed images of the bowel wall, showing its individual layers, thickness, and blood flow.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan allows the Specialist Doctor to assess the bowel in real time, identifying areas of inflammation, obstruction, or other abnormalities.
The quality of the assessment depends on the experience of the operator and the equipment used. At Harley Street Ultrasound, all scans are performed by a Specialist Doctor using advanced diagnostic ultrasound systems.
If you have been experiencing bowel problems, persistent bowel pain, or are looking for a bowel health check, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan is a safe, painless, and radiation-free way to find out what is happening.
Unlike a colonoscopy, there is no sedation, no bowel preparation, and no recovery time. You can return to your normal activities immediately.
For a broader assessment of the abdominal organs, see our Abdominal Ultrasound Scan.
At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, every Bowel Ultrasound Scan is performed by a Specialist Doctor who assesses the bowel in real time, explaining their findings as the scan progresses. You will leave with a Full Medical Report, high-resolution images, and Tailored Advice on any next steps, all on the Same Day.
You may have heard this scan referred to by other names. A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is also known as an intestinal ultrasound, colon ultrasound, small bowel ultrasound, bowel assessment, or simply a bowel scan. Regardless of the name, the scan and its clinical purpose are the same.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan can detect a range of bowel conditions including bowel wall thickening, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), Bowel Obstruction, Appendicitis, Diverticulitis, Intussusception, abscesses and fluid collections, and enlarged lymph nodes near the bowel.
Your Specialist Doctor will explain everything that is seen during your scan and recommend any appropriate next steps.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is used to investigate a range of bowel-related symptoms and conditions. Common reasons include persistent abdominal pain or cramping, bloating that does not resolve, a change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating), blood in stool or rectal bleeding, suspected or known Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s or colitis), monitoring disease activity in existing IBD patients, suspected Bowel Obstruction, and assessment of a palpable abdominal mass.
It is a first-line investigation that provides valuable diagnostic information without radiation, sedation, or invasive procedures.
In most cases, preparation for a Bowel Ultrasound Scan is straightforward. Your booking team will provide you with specific instructions when you schedule your appointment.
General guidance may include drinking water before your appointment to help with image clarity, and in some cases, a short period of fasting. You do not need to undergo the extensive bowel preparation that is required for a colonoscopy.
If you are taking any regular medications, continue to take them as normal unless specifically advised otherwise.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on what needs to be assessed. Your Specialist Doctor will take the time needed to perform a thorough examination.
There is no recovery time. You can eat, drink, and return to normal activities immediately after your scan.
No. A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is completely painless. A small amount of warm gel is applied to your abdomen and a handheld probe is gently moved across the skin. There is no internal examination, no injection, and no radiation.
Some patients may feel slight pressure when the probe is pressed over certain areas, but this is not painful. If you are experiencing tenderness in the area being scanned, let your Specialist Doctor know and they will adjust the pressure accordingly.
No. You do not need a GP referral to book a Bowel Ultrasound Scan at Harley Street Ultrasound Group. You can self-refer by contacting our booking team directly.
If you do have a referral from your GP or consultant, please bring it along to your appointment as it provides helpful clinical context for your Specialist Doctor.
Your results are available on the Same Day. Your Specialist Doctor will explain their findings immediately after the scan. You will also receive a Full Medical Report with diagnostic images that can be shared with your GP or referring consultant.
There is no waiting period. Everything is discussed with you face to face before you leave.
Once the scan is complete, your Specialist Doctor will sit down with you and explain everything that was seen. If the scan is clear, you will leave with confidence and a written report for your records. If the scan identifies anything that needs attention, your Specialist Doctor will explain the findings, discuss what they mean, and recommend the most appropriate next step.
Your Full Medical Report can be shared directly with your GP or referring consultant, and our team can help arrange any follow-up investigations if required.
Yes. Ultrasound does not use radiation and is considered safe during pregnancy. It is the preferred imaging modality for pregnant patients who require bowel assessment, as CT scans involve radiation exposure and MRI may not always be readily available.
If you are pregnant and experiencing bowel symptoms, please let our booking team know when scheduling your appointment.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is an external, non-invasive scan that assesses the bowel wall from the outside using sound waves. It does not require sedation, bowel preparation, or recovery time. It is excellent at detecting inflammation, obstruction, and monitoring conditions like Crohn’s Disease.
A colonoscopy is an internal examination using a camera inserted through the rectum. It allows direct visualisation of the bowel lining, can take tissue samples (biopsies), and is the definitive test for diagnosing Bowel Cancer and polyps.
The two investigations serve different purposes and are often complementary. Your Specialist Doctor will advise you on which investigation is most appropriate for your specific symptoms.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan uses sound waves and involves no radiation. It provides real-time images of the bowel wall, allowing your Specialist Doctor to assess thickness, blood flow, and inflammation during the appointment. Results are available on the Same Day.
A CT scan uses ionising radiation to produce cross-sectional images of the abdomen and bowel. It can assess a wider area in a single scan but involves radiation exposure, may require contrast dye, and results are typically available in 1 to 5 days.
For patients who need repeated monitoring, such as those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan is often preferred because it avoids cumulative radiation exposure.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is performed in real time by your Specialist Doctor, who explains findings during the appointment. It requires no special preparation in most cases and takes 20 to 30 minutes.
MRI provides excellent cross-sectional detail and is particularly useful for assessing deep-seated complications such as fistulas and abscesses in Crohn’s Disease. However, MRI appointments are typically longer, the scanner can feel enclosed, and results may take several days.
In many clinical scenarios, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan is the preferred first-line investigation, with MRI reserved for cases where additional anatomical detail is needed.
Yes. A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is considered the first-line imaging investigation for children with abdominal symptoms. It is safe, painless, and does not involve any radiation, making it particularly suitable for younger patients.
It is widely used in paediatric settings to assess conditions such as Appendicitis, Intussusception, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in children.
If your Specialist Doctor identifies any abnormality during your scan, they will discuss it with you immediately. You will not be left waiting for results or wondering what was seen.
Depending on the findings, your Specialist Doctor may recommend monitoring, further imaging (such as MRI or CT), referral for colonoscopy, or a consultation with a gastroenterologist. Your report will include a clear summary of findings and any recommended next steps, which can be shared directly with your GP or referring consultant.
Bowel ultrasound has been shown to have a sensitivity of over 90% for detecting active Crohn’s Disease and bowel wall thickening. Its accuracy depends on the experience of the person performing the scan and the quality of the equipment used.
At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, every scan is performed by a Specialist Doctor using advanced diagnostic systems, ensuring the highest possible standard of assessment.
Yes. Detecting bowel inflammation is one of the primary strengths of a Bowel Ultrasound Scan. The scan can measure bowel wall thickness with precision. Thickening beyond normal parameters is a reliable indicator of inflammation.
Using Doppler technology, the Specialist Doctor can also assess blood flow to the bowel wall. Increased blood flow is a sign of active inflammation. This makes a Bowel Ultrasound Scan an excellent tool for monitoring conditions like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis without the need for repeated invasive procedures.
Bowel gas appears as bright, echogenic areas on ultrasound images. While excessive gas can sometimes obscure parts of the bowel, a skilled Specialist Doctor can use positioning techniques and graded compression to work around gas pockets and still achieve a thorough assessment.
This is one reason why having your scan performed by an experienced Specialist Doctor matters. They know how to manage the technical challenges of bowel imaging.
Yes. A Bowel Ultrasound Scan can identify signs of Bowel Obstruction, including dilated loops of bowel, increased fluid within the bowel lumen, and abnormal bowel wall movement (peristalsis). These findings help determine whether an obstruction is present and how severe it may be.
If a Bowel Obstruction is suspected or confirmed, your Specialist Doctor will advise on the urgency of the situation and recommend the appropriate next step.
A pelvic ultrasound may incidentally identify some bowel-related findings, particularly if there is a mass, fluid, or inflammation in the pelvic region. However, a pelvic ultrasound is designed to assess the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries, bladder, prostate) and is not a focused bowel investigation.
If you have specific bowel symptoms, a dedicated Bowel Ultrasound Scan will provide a far more detailed and clinically useful assessment than a pelvic scan.
Deep infiltrating endometriosis that involves the bowel can sometimes be identified on a specialist ultrasound. However, diagnosing bowel endometriosis requires specific expertise and technique, and it is not the primary purpose of a standard Bowel Ultrasound Scan.
If you suspect you may have bowel endometriosis, please mention this when booking your appointment so that the appropriate protocol and specialist can be arranged.
Bowel Ultrasound and MRI are both valuable tools for assessing the bowel, and each has its strengths. Ultrasound is real-time, widely accessible, does not require contrast agents in most cases, and allows direct interaction between the Specialist Doctor and the area being examined.
MRI provides excellent cross-sectional detail and is particularly useful for assessing deep-seated complications such as fistulas and abscesses in Crohn’s Disease.
In many clinical scenarios, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan is the preferred first-line investigation, with MRI reserved for cases where additional detail is needed. Your Specialist Doctor will advise you on whether further imaging would be beneficial.
A small bowel ultrasound is a focused assessment of the small intestine, which is the section of the bowel between the stomach and the large intestine (colon). It is particularly useful for assessing Crohn’s Disease, which commonly affects the terminal ileum, the last part of the small bowel.
At Harley Street Ultrasound Group, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan includes assessment of both the small and large bowel as clinically indicated.
For current pricing, please contact our booking team directly or visit our pricing page. We are transparent about our fees and there are no hidden charges. The price includes the scan, consultation with your Specialist Doctor, Full Medical Report, and Same-Day Results.
In most cases, you may eat normally before your appointment. However, some patients may be advised to fast for a short period or to drink water before the scan to improve image quality.
Your booking team will provide you with specific instructions when you schedule your appointment. If you are unsure, please call us and we will advise you.
No. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder, which means it does not produce visible structural changes that can be detected on ultrasound or any other imaging test. IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms, often after other conditions have been ruled out.
However, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan can be a valuable part of the diagnostic process because it helps rule out conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diverticulitis, or Bowel Obstruction. Ruling out these conditions can give you and your doctor greater confidence in an IBS diagnosis.
Yes. A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is one of the most effective non-invasive tools for detecting and monitoring Crohn’s Disease. The scan can identify bowel wall thickening, assess disease activity using Doppler blood flow measurements, and detect complications such as strictures, fistulas, and abscesses.
It is increasingly used as a first-line investigation for suspected Crohn’s and as a monitoring tool for patients with established disease, reducing the need for repeated colonoscopies. The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) recommends bowel ultrasound in its clinical guidelines for IBD management.
You should consider a Bowel Ultrasound Scan if you are experiencing persistent abdominal pain, unexplained bloating, changes in bowel habits, blood in your stool, or if you have been told you may have an inflammatory bowel condition. It is also appropriate if you have a known diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis and require monitoring without the need for a colonoscopy.
If you are unsure whether a Bowel Ultrasound Scan is the right investigation for you, our booking team can help, or you can discuss it with your Specialist Doctor at your appointment.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan cannot diagnose IBS because IBS is a functional condition that does not produce visible structural changes. However, many patients with IBS symptoms benefit from having a scan because it can rule out other conditions that mimic IBS, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diverticulitis, or Bowel Obstruction.
If you have been diagnosed with IBS but your symptoms have changed or worsened, a Bowel Ultrasound Scan can provide reassurance that nothing else is developing.
If you are experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, passing significant amounts of blood from the back passage, or if you have a high temperature with abdominal rigidity, you should attend A&E immediately. These may be signs of a medical emergency such as bowel perforation, severe obstruction, or internal bleeding.
A Bowel Ultrasound Scan is an outpatient investigation for non-emergency symptoms. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are urgent, call 111 for NHS guidance or contact our team for advice.
Many of our patients are referred by their GP or NHS consultant for a faster assessment. Your Full Medical Report is designed to be shared directly with your NHS care team, and our Specialist Doctor can write directly to your GP or consultant with findings and recommendations.
We also see patients who choose to self-refer because NHS waiting times for imaging are too long for their peace of mind. Whether you come through the NHS pathway or book directly, the standard of care is the same.
Bowel Ultrasound is supported by a strong and growing body of clinical evidence. It is recognised by international guidelines as a first-line, non-invasive tool for assessing inflammatory bowel disease, and its use is expanding across gastroenterology.
The European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), in its joint 2025 guideline with ESGAR, ESP, and IBUS, recommends intestinal ultrasound as a first-line imaging modality for the diagnosis and monitoring of Crohn's Disease, noting that bowel wall thickness reduction and Doppler normalisation predict reduced hospitalisation and surgery rates. [1,2] The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) confirmed in 2024 that the diagnostic value of intestinal ultrasound in IBD is comparable to MR enterography and CT enterography. [3]
A 2024 meta-analysis reported a pooled sensitivity of 88.6% and specificity of 86% for detecting bowel wall inflammation in IBD, with a positive predictive value of 94%. [4] A separate 2024 meta-analysis found that intestinal ultrasound is accurate for detecting Crohn's-related complications (strictures, fistulas, inflammatory masses), with sensitivity rising to 94% using contrast-enhanced techniques. [5]
The UK METRIC trial (2018), a multicentre study of 284 patients across eight NHS hospitals, found that ultrasound had a sensitivity of 92% for detecting small bowel Crohn's Disease (compared to 97% for MRE), concluding that both are valid first-line investigations. [6]
Ultrasound is recommended as the first-line imaging modality for suspected Appendicitis in children by the American College of Radiology [7], the World Society for Emergency Surgery [8], and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which reports sensitivity and specificity of 94% in experienced hands. [9]
Bowel ultrasound involves no ionising radiation, making it suitable for repeat monitoring in patients with chronic conditions such as IBD. The ECCO-ESGAR guidelines specifically note concerns about cumulative radiation from repeated CT imaging in this population. [2] Patient acceptability data from the METRIC trial confirmed that ultrasound generates significantly less burden and shorter recovery times than MRE. [10]
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At the Harley Street Ultrasound Group, you'll only ever be seen by specialist consultant doctors and sonographers. We've handpicked some of the very best in the industry from leading hospitals, all of whom are experts in their chosen fields.
No matter what scan you come in for, being seen by a specialist means you get an accurate diagnosis and exceptional clinical advice on the spot, so you can plan your next move confidently, and quickly.
Your results are explained to you on the day of your scan, not days or weeks later. There is no anxious wait for a letter. Your Specialist Doctor discusses everything with you before you leave.
Every patient receives a comprehensive written report detailing the findings of their scan, along with high-resolution diagnostic images. This report can be shared with your GP, consultant, or any other healthcare provider.
No two patients are the same. Your Specialist Doctor will provide personalised guidance based on what was found during your scan. If further investigation is needed, they will recommend the most appropriate next step for your specific situation.
Because every scan is performed by a Specialist Doctor, you will hear what is being found as the scan happens. There is no delay, no waiting for someone else to interpret your images. The person scanning you is the person reporting your results.
Unsure of whether you want to choose us? Here are some experiences shared by patients who have had a Bowel Ultrasound Scan at Harley Street Ultrasound Group.
