Medical imaging's role in bariatric surgery.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Bariatric Surgery
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Obesity affects one-third of U.S. adults, totaling 72 million individuals.
• Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment for major, long-term weight loss and resolution of obesity-related diseases.
• The utilization of bariatric surgery has significantly increased over the last decade.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of radiographic imaging in bariatric patient care.
• To outline the common imaging modalities used before and after bariatric surgery.
• To address the unique challenges faced by radiologic technologists when imaging obese patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of common radiographic imaging modalities including ultrasound, gastrointestinal contrast studies, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy.
• Discussion of pre-operative patient assessment techniques.
• Identification of post-operative complications through imaging.

Main Results:

• Radiographic imaging is essential for both pre-surgical evaluation and post-surgical complication detection in bariatric patients.
• Commonly employed imaging techniques include ultrasound, GI contrast studies, CT, and fluoroscopy.
• Specific technical, equipment, and safety considerations are necessary for imaging obese individuals.

Conclusions:

• Radiologic technologists require specialized knowledge to manage the challenges of imaging obese patients undergoing bariatric procedures.
• Effective use of various imaging modalities ensures optimal patient outcomes.
• Continued advancements in imaging techniques support the growing field of bariatric surgery.