Imaging in Clinical Geriatric Gastroenterology

Abstract

Medical imaging is a continuously evolving field which is increasingly utilized for the diagnosis, characterization, and follow-up of innumerable physiological processes. This chapter presents a selection of imaging findings frequently encountered in disease processes of the geriatric gastrointestinal tract. The cases are organized in anatomical order from the esophagus down the alimentary tract and also include a few entities of extraintestinal organs that could be confused with gastrointestinal diseases. The disorders included are those most commonly seen in the geriatric population. They are presented utilizing the imaging modality that most commonly and effectively aids in the diagnosis, along with the typical findings that can be seen. The chapter will help readers better understand the strengths of medical imaging, as well as the modalities that should be considered for delineation of the diverse pathology of gastrointestinal tract disorders in older adults. In addition, key imaging findings that are illustrated in the chapter will help aid in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders in the geriatric population, providing a means to guide subsequent therapy.