Swain Community Hospital, a Duke LifePoint Hospital, will begin offering CT enterography with IV contrast studies on November 1, giving patients local access to an advanced diagnostic tool used to evaluate Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, small bowel gastrointestinal bleeding, and small bowel tumors. 

CT enterography produces detailed, high-resolution images of the small bowel, providing physicians with a powerful tool to diagnose and monitor complex gastrointestinal conditions. The exam is particularly valuable in evaluating Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Crohn’s disease is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can overlap with other digestive disorders, making advanced imaging essential in confirming the disease and guiding treatment plans. 

In addition to Crohn’s disease, CT enterography can be used to assess inflammatory bowel disease more broadly, identify sources of unexplained small bowel gastrointestinal bleeding, and detect small bowel tumors. By visualizing the lining of the small bowel in detail, physicians are better able to understand the extent of disease and determine the best course of care. 

“We’re pleased to make this advanced exam available locally, reducing the need for residents of Swain County and nearby areas to travel elsewhere to receive this level of care,” said Ashley Hindman, chief executive officer of Swain Community Hospital. “Our goal is always to meet the needs of our community with compassionate care and advanced services.” 

Because preparation is required for accurate imaging, CT enterography is not offered as a walk-in exam. Patients should work with their primary care provider or gastroenterology specialist to schedule the study. 

“CT enterography gives us the ability to see the small bowel with clarity that traditional imaging simply cannot provide,” said Al Mina, MD, chief medical officer. “Having this diagnostic tool here at Swain means patients can receive precise evaluation and timely care, which are key to improving long-term outcomes for serious gastrointestinal diseases.”

Swain Community Hospital is committed to offering services that support access to specialized care in western North Carolina.