What is a small bowel follow-through examination used to determine?

Small bowel follow-through exams are primarily used to examine the small bowel for abnormalities, according to the PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center. The evaluation provides detailed imagery of the stomach and small bowel and helps radiologists identify ulcers, inflammation and flow patterns.

In many cases, small bowel follow-through exams are performed after an inconclusive endoscopy to rule out small bowel obstructions, Crohn's disease, small bowel cancer, blood in the stool and fresh blood from the rectum, according to MUSC Health's Digestive Disease Center. The exam allows radiologists to evaluate the small bowel in terms of diameter, movement and the presence of any abnormal filling.