Short bowel syndrome

Diagnosis

To diagnose short bowel syndrome, a healthcare professional may recommend blood or stool tests to measure nutrient levels. Other tests may include imaging procedures, such as an X-ray with a contrast material, called a barium X-ray; CT scan; MRI; and CT or MRI enterography, which can show blockages or changes to the intestines.

Treatment

Treatment options for short bowel syndrome will depend on what parts of the small intestine are affected, whether the colon is intact and a person's own preferences.

Short bowel syndrome treatment may include:

• Nutritional therapy. People with small bowel syndrome will need to follow a special diet and take nutritional supplements. Some people may need to get nutrition through a vein, called parenteral nutrition, or a feeding tube, called enteral nutrition. This is to prevent malnutrition.
• Medicines. In addition to nutritional support, medicines to help manage short bowel syndrome may be recommended. These include medicines to help control stomach acid, reduce diarrhea or improve intestinal absorption after surgery.
• Surgery. Types of surgery to treat short bowel syndrome include procedures to slow the passage of nutrients through the intestine or a procedure to lengthen the intestine, called autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction. Small bowel transplantation (SBT) also may be an option.

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.