Lower GI series Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Procedure (Single-contrast Imaging and Double-contrast Imaging), By Application (Colorectal Cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, Polyps, Crohn’s disease Screening, and Others), By End-user (Hospitals, Imaging Centers, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

A lower gastrointestinal (GI) series is a medical procedure that is used to examine the large intestine, including the colon, rectum, and sometimes the lower part of the small intestine. During the procedure, a radiologist inserts a flexible tube into the patient's anus and fills the large intestine with a chalky liquid called barium. The barium also makes the intestine more visible in the X-ray images. The radiologist may also inject air through the tube to inflate the intestine for a clearer view. The patient may experience some discomfort and the urge to have a bowel movement during the procedure. After the imaging is complete, the barium is flushed out, and the patient can resume their normal activities. A lower GI series can help in the diagnosis of various conditions, such as bleeding, changes in bowel habits, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.

The lower gastrointestinal (GI) series offers several key benefits, such as strong diagnostic capabilities, the ability to visualize the colon, the potential for the early detection of diseases, its critical role in the monitoring of gastrointestinal health, and its effectiveness in the management of certain conditions.

The market growth is primarily attributed to the rising prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diverticulitis. The lower GI series is instrumental in diagnosing diverticulitis and colorectal conditions, which is expected to fuel its demand, thereby driving the market growth during the forecast period.

• For instance, according to the article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2023, around 7.0 million individuals are currently living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) across the world.

Furthermore, improvements in medical imaging technology, such as the development of double-contrast and air-contrast techniques, have made lower GI series much more effective in diagnosing and managing lower GI tract issues. These technological advancements allowed for clearer visualization and the earlier detection of problems. Such advancements are expected to boost market growth in the coming years.

 The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the global lower GI series market in 2020. The pandemic caused a significant decrease in the demand for the lower GI series procedures due to the reduced volume of gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures performed. The lower number of procedures was to mitigate the risk of viral transmission and prioritize the pandemic response efforts. This led to a decline in the market growth during the pandemic.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Incidence of Key Diseases, By Key Countries/Region, 2023


• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market   

Analysis by Procedure

Based on the procedure, the market is divided into single-contrast imaging and double-contrast imaging. The double-contrast imaging segment is projected to account for a significant share of the global lower GI series market during the forecast period. Double-contrast imaging is generally the preferred method for lower GI series as it provides superior mucosal detail and allows for the earlier detection of the subtle lesions. Moreover, this procedure is usually recommended for young patients who are healthy enough to undergo the examination. Such significance of the double-contrast imaging is expected to boost the demand for this procedure, driving the segmental growth in the coming years.

• For instance, as per the article published on Radiopaedia.org in March 2023, double-contrast techniques, which use both barium and air, provide superior mucosal detail and allow earlier detection of subtle lesions compared to single-contrast techniques.

On the other hand, the single-contrast imaging segment is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The segment's growth is attributed to its rising use among older and less cooperative patients. Furthermore, the single-contrast technique is preferred for the evaluation of acute diverticulitis (when CT is unavailable), detection of colonic fistulas, evaluation of the postoperative leaks after colon surgery, and the detection of the Hirschsprung disease in neonates using the water-soluble contrast. These benefits associated with single-contrast imaging are projected to fuel segmental growth in the coming years.

Regional Analysis

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The global market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold a significant share of the lower GI series market during the forecast period. The market growth of the region is attributed to the rising incidence of colorectal cancers, which is expected to boost the demand for lower GI series procedures. Moreover, factors such as the high smoking rate and alcohol consumption in the region are also increasing the risk of colorectal cancer, which is expected to boost the market growth in the forthcoming years.

• For instance, as of March 2023, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported that the number of new colorectal cancer cases in U.S. adults was estimated to be 153,020.

Asia Pacific is projected to grow significantly during the forecast timeframe. The greater public awareness and emphasis on the importance of gastrointestinal health is leading more people to seek diagnostic procedures such as the lower GI series to monitor their digestive health in the region proactively. Moreover, the high aging population in the region is driving the demand for diagnostic procedures such as lower GI series, as the aged individuals are more susceptible to gastrointestinal issues. These factors are expected to propel the regional market growth during the projection period.

Key Players Covered

The market consists of significant players, such as NYU Langone Hospitals, Akumin Inc., Midstate Radiology Associates, L.L.C., RAYUS Radiology, Capitol Imaging Services, and GI Alliance.

Key Industry Developments

• In June 2023, GI Alliance and Digestive Health Center entered into a partnership to expand GI Alliance’s presence in Mississippi for its various procedures, including the lower GI series.


• In March 2021, GI Alliance partnered with Austin Gastro to expand its presence in Central Texas and the greater Austin Area for its procedures to diagnose gastrointestinal diseases.