MR Enterography vs. Small Bowel Follow Through

I was wondering if anybody knew the difference between a Small Bowel Follow Through and an MR Enterography. I went to a new Gastroenterologist for a second opinion and they dropped the ball on transferring over my prior test results. When I was leaving, the receptionist said he ordered me a Small Bowel Follow Through and I wasn't sure exactly what that was and told her that I had an MR Enterography and if that was the same thing.

She checked with him and I am pretty sure she said I no longer needed the Small Bowel Follow Through after they tracked down the results of the MR-E, but I got a call today to schedule the Small Bowel Follow Through and the person said the Gastro ordered it for me today.

I am going to check with him and I am not sure if he wanted me to get it due to any blood work results he got back, but wanted to see if anyone had any experience with it or knows what it shows.

My MR Enterography came back normal and I think it is still up in the air on whether or not I have Crohn's.

Hi. I am not sure if the answer but there is a section in here called Tests for IBD . You might want to repost in that section.

I can relate my experience of a small bowel follow through. You start by drinking a contrast. What they are doing is taking x-rays as the contrast moves through your GI tract. They take an x-Ray,have you walk around a bit,take another in 20-30 minutes or so. It does take several hours or more,a good part of a day. They are hoping the contrast will show any obstructions,etc., through the x-ray.


The MRE uses magnetic imaging,not x-rays. You get 3-d imaging and tend to see finer detail than x-ray. It is more $$,but you are not getting radiated and shows more detail...in my opinion.

Thank you. It seems like since my MRE came back normal and i am suspected to possibly have mild Crohns, that a small bowel follow through wouldn't add much value. I have a call in to my doctor and we will see what he says.