Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE President and chief executive officer | Virtua Health
Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE President and chief executive officer | Virtua Health
Virtua Health is set to introduce a new imaging technology for patients with serious bowel diseases in New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region. The South Jersey-based health system will begin offering intestinal ultrasound (IUS) on December 30, marking it as the first provider in the area to do so.
Dr. Sanket Patel, director of the Virtua Crohn’s & Colitis Center in Moorestown, described IUS as "a real game-changer for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)." He explained that this specialized ultrasound is fast, accurate, and risk-free compared to traditional imaging methods like MRI and CT scans or invasive procedures such as colonoscopies.
The introduction of IUS aims to improve health equity by making care more accessible for patients who face challenges with scheduling, insurance, dependent care, and transportation. Dr. Patel noted that IUS could also facilitate participation in clinical trials by reducing the need for repeated colonoscopies.
Dr. Jennifer Khelil, Virtua’s senior vice president and chief medical officer, emphasized the significance of this advancement: “This is leading-edge IBD care, available at just a handful of centers nationwide. The next closest provider is in New York.”
Elsie Soleymani from Mount Laurel experienced the benefits of IUS firsthand when Dr. Patel used it to monitor her Crohn’s disease treatment progress. She expressed reassurance after seeing evidence of healing through the ultrasound images.
IUS employs sound waves to create high-definition images of a patient’s intestines in real-time. It allows physicians like Dr. Patel to detect inflammation and other complications immediately during an office visit without requiring patients to undergo preparation or fasting.
IBD affects approximately 3 million Americans and includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These diseases can cause severe symptoms and require ongoing management through medication or surgery.
Virtua's Crohn’s & Colitis Center offers comprehensive care with a team that includes gastroenterologists specializing in IBD treatment, dieticians creating personalized nutritional plans, colorectal surgeons using minimally invasive techniques, and nurse navigators coordinating support services.
“We’re committed to being the number-one choice in the tri-state region for IBD care,” said Dr. Khelil. Dr. Patel added that their goals are to promote bowel healing, reduce cancer risk, and help patients return to normal life.
For further information or appointments at Virtua Health's Crohn’s & Colitis Center, interested individuals can call (856) 291-8680.
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