Abstract Background Intestinal Ultrasound (IUS) is widely utilised in Europe to assess inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however its uptake in the UK has been limited, with increasing interest developing in recent years. Ultrasound in the UK for many indications is often performed by nurses, midwives and sonographers, however IUS has predominantly been delivered by medical professionals(1). The first IBDCNS IUS clinic in the UK was initiated at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the impact of the IBDCNS IUS service on waiting times to patient assessment and impact on disease management. Methods All IUS scans performed by the IBD CNS in the first 3 months were collated and categorised according to outcomes, including changes to treatment, referral for further tests, referral to MDT and both admission or admission avoidance. Waiting times to scans were also collated to demonstrate the increase in timely access to IUS assessment. Results A total of n = 85 patients had an IUS performed by the IBD CNS. n = 85% had a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and n = 9.0% had a diagnosis of Ulcerative colitis (extent greater than proctitis). n = 5.0% of patients had possible IBD. IUS scans are booked on an urgent (within 3 weeks), routine (within 6 weeks) or planned basis depending on clinical need. n = 22 urgent scans were performed. n = 27% of these were within 5 days of referral. A further n = 22% of scans were within 1 week of referral and the remainder were within 3 weeks of referral. n = 39 routine scans were performed. n = 71% of these were within 6 weeks. The remaining n = 29% included an existing backlog of referrals. n = 23 planned scans were performed, of which 65% were on time, n = 30% were within 2 weeks of the planned date and n = 5.0% were within 4 weeks of the planned date. Of the total n = 85 scans, n = 34% of patients had a change in disease management initiated during their scan appointment. This included initiation of steroids, laxatives, treatment of bile salt malabsorption and changes to biologic treatments. n = 25% of patients had further tests requested including Faecal Calprotectin (n = 56%), bloods (n = 16%), colonoscopy (n = 8%) and MR Enterogram (n = 8%). Further MDT discussion was arranged for n = 21% of patients. 1 patient (n = 1%) was admitted from the IUS clinic due to severity of findings and 3 patients (n = 3.5% avoided admission due to intervention instigated at urgent scans within 5 days. 32% of patients required no change to their current management plan. Conclusion The IBDCNS IUS clinic facilitates cost effective and timely disease assessment that enables immediate changes to disease management. This data supports delivery of IUS by IBDCNS’s to streamline access to care and treatment for patients living with IBD. References: Sinha S, Baker E, Grunshaw N, et al. Intestinal ultrasound in the UK: current practice and future direction. Frontline Gastroenterology. 2025;0:1–8. doi: 10.1136/flgastro-2025-103347 Conflict of interest: Owen, Hayley: Speaker invitation and fees for: Eli Lilly Tillotts Takeda Abbvie Janssen
H Owen (Thu,) studied this question.