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. 2025 Jul 8;14(14):4817.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14144817.

Intestinal Ultrasound: Advancing Towards Broader Adoption-Insights from a National Survey in Turkey

Gülden Bilican  1 , Tarkan Karakan  1 , Ödül Eğritaş Gürkan  2 , Mehmet Cindoruk  1 , Charlotte Hedin  3 , Haider Sabhan  3 , Ayşe Can  2 , Stephan L Haas  3
Affiliations

Intestinal Ultrasound: Advancing Towards Broader Adoption-Insights from a National Survey in Turkey

Gülden Bilican et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Objective: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is increasingly valued as a noninvasive tool for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management, offering real-time, radiation-free assessment of bowel wall thickness, vascularity, and complications. While IUS is widely adopted in Europe, data on its use in Turkey is scarce. This study aims to address this gap. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting 817 adult and 150 pediatric gastroenterologists in Turkey. The survey included 26 structured questions on demographics, familiarity with and use of IUS, and barriers to implementation. Results: A total of 191 gastroenterologists participated in this survey, with 56% being adult gastroenterologists (n = 107) and 44% pediatric gastroenterologists (n = 84). Regarding whether they participated in IUS training, 73% (n = 140) of the 191 respondents stated they had not received training. There were notable differences in how IUS was utilized among gastroenterologists: 29% (n = 31) of adult gastroenterologists performed IUS independently, compared to just 2% (n = 2) of pediatric gastroenterologists (p < 0.001). In total, 63% (n = 67) of adult gastroenterologists and 46% (n = 39) of pediatric gastroenterologists reported not using IUS. Altogether, 94% (n = 179) emphasized the necessity of educational opportunities, and 86% (n = 165) favored national guidelines. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that the current application of IUS in Turkey fails to correspond with its expected advantages in managing IBD. Limited educational opportunities are a major challenge, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated educational programs and national guidelines. The expanded adoption of the IUS might significantly improve Turkey's management of IBD. What is known: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and reliable imaging method increasingly recognized for its utility in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). What is new: This is the first national survey assessing the awareness, usage patterns, and barriers to the adoption of IUS among gastroenterologists in Turkey. The study highlights significant gaps in training opportunities while also identifying strategies to promote IUS integration into routine clinical practice. The findings may encourage similar efforts in other regions where IUS remains underutilized, ultimately improving IBD management and patient outcomes globally.

Keywords: inflammatory bowel disease; intestinal ultrasound; survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

CH served as a speaker and/or advisory board member for AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Dr. Falk Pharma and the Falk Foundation, Galapagos, Janssen, Pfizer, Ferring, Takeda, Tillotts Pharma, and received grant support from Tillotts and Takeda. SLH received speaker honoraria from Takeda, Mediahuset, Santax Medico, Tillotts Pharma, and Johnson & Johnson. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Imaging methods used for IBD diagnosis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
IUS training and training formats.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Self-assessed proficiency in using IUS.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Challenges faced and suggestions for promoting the use of IUS.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Overlap of respondents performing HBUS and IUS.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Comparison of IUS usage between pediatric and adult gastroenterologists.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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