Who we are

B R U S E

Bergen Research Group for UltraSound in GastroEnterology

The Bergen Research Group for UltraSound in GastroEnterology (BRUSE) is world-renown for its research and novel clinical applications in the field of GI transabdominal and endoscopic ultrasonography. For over 45 years doctors at Haukeland University Hospital and University of Bergen have utilized ultrasound in clinical practice to improve management of patients with digestive diseases. A wide range of methodology has been developed and validated by BRUSE researchers, such as endosonography, three-dimensional ultrasound, hydrosonography, strain rate imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, sonoelastography, advanced visualization, and several novel techniques in GI motility. Particularly, in the field of GI motility, our methods have obtained international reputation as highly original and innovative and are now used world- wide. 

Based on this research, which has resulted in multiple dissertations and over 300 scientific papers, the ultrasound group was in 2001 rewarded by the Norwegian Health authorities a new center in excellent competence: National Centre of Ultrasound in Gastroenterology (NCUG). In 2013 researchers from BRUSE won the prestigious Dirk Bartz Prize awarded at Eurographics in Spain. In 2014, BRUSE was accredited the honor of being a European Centre for ultrasound education: “ULC Bergen”, with the consequence that doctors and researchers are now coming from all corners of the world to learn ultrasound in Bergen. Researchers from BRUSE have during the last 4 years contributed significantly in 9 different international clinical guidelines, all published in peer-reviewed European journals.

Prof. Odd Helge Gilja is the leader of BRUSE and past- President of EFSUMB, the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, and chairman of NCUG. BRUSE consists of several professors/sr. researchers, post-docs and PhD students, as well as numerous medical doctors and students performing ultrasound research in a unique environment.

In BRUSE, we have state-of-the-art scanners both for basic acoustic, in vitro, animal experimental and clinical studies that all contribute to the bridge from «bench-to-bedside». Translational ultrasound research is at the heart of BRUSE’s activities and we have engineers, physicists, basic researchers and clinicians working together to obtain convergence in science. BRUSE also have collaboration with local facilities such as The Vivarium, MIC, The PET-center and Dept. of Radiology to ensure comparison studies with other imaging modalities. We have a broad National network in scientific organizations and conduct 4-6 post-graduate courses each year throughout Norway. 

Gastrointestinal Ultrasound (GIUS) in IBD
Due to changes in treatment regimens and treatment goals for inflammatory bowel diseases, there is an increasing need for close monitoring. Improvements in image quality and resolution on ultrasound scanners have led to a clear view of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract and its separation from surrounding structures. Since GIUS is also a patient-friendly method, it has found its place in the follow-up of IBD patients. To improve the standardization and increase the use of GIUS in the daily follow-up of patients, there is a need for new clinical studies that look at relevant patient populations and compare accepted reference standards. We have recently developed and validated an ultrasound score for Crohn's disease and have also contributed to the development of a score for ulcerative colitis. We are currently conducting longitudinal observational studies where we see clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases and depending on the result, this could lead to projects where we use GIUS as a tool for clinical decisions.
 

Collaborators

BRUSE has a wide national and international network.

See a detailed list here:
Link to subpage Collaborators

Doctorates

  1. Dag A. Sangnes: Diabetic gastroenteropathy examined with wireless motility capsule (external link) University of Bergen, 2022. ISBN: 9788230852934 (print) 9788230860052 (PDF)
  2. Ingrid Kvåle Nordaas: ​The Importance of Structural Changes and Imaging in Chronic Pancreatitis (external link)​ University of Bergen, 2021. ISBN: 9788230846445 (print) 9788230850923 (PDF)​​​
  3. Elisabeth Kjelsvik Steinsvik: Gastric dysmobility and visceral hypersensitivity - an ultrasound approach to functional GI disorders and diabetic gastroparesis (external link) University of Bergen, 2021. ISBN: 9788230862582 (print) 9788230855553 (PDF)
  4. ​​​​Anders Batman Mjelle: Validation of liver elastography in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and healthy individuals. Normal values and correlation to fibrosis parameters. (external link) University of Bergen, 2021. ISBN: 9788230868072 (print) 9788230851395 (PDF)
  5. Vernesa Dizdar: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders following Giardia infection (external link). University of Bergen, 2020. ISBN: 9788230869444
  6. Fredrik Bjorvatn Sævik: Ultrasonographic evaluation of disease activity in Crohn’s Disease (external link). University of Bergen, 2020. ISBN: 9788230867907
  7. Anesa Mulabecirovic: In-vitro and in-vivo validation of ultrasound shear wave elastography for liver application (external link). University of Bergen, 2019. ISBN: 978-82-308-7085-3
  8. Trond Engjom: Ultrasonography of the pancreas in Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Pancreatitis. University of Bergen, 2018. ISBN: 978-82-308-3745-0.
  9. Friedemann Georg Erchinger: A short endoscopic Secretin test for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (external link). University of Bergen, 2018. ISBN: 978-82-308-3744-3.
  10. Hilde Løland von Volkmann: Gastrointestinal disturbances in patients with Familial GUCY2C Diarrhea Syndrom. University of Bergen, 2018. ISBN: 978-82-308-3821-1
  11. Jo Erling Riise Waage: Strain elastography evaluation of rectal tumours – a critical assessment of a new imaging modality. University of Bergen, 2014.
  12. Tore Bjørn Grimstad: Anti-inflammatory effects of marine nutritional products in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (external link). Based on clinical and animal studies. University of Bergen, 2013. ISBN: 978-82-308-2238-8.
  13. Kim Nylund: Ultrasound in Crohn's disease -bowel wall characteristics and perfusion estimates using microbubbles (external link). University of Bergen, 2013. ISBN: 978-82-308-2193-0.
  14. Roald Flesland Havre: Tissue characterisation by ultrasound strain imaging –Methodological aspects and gastroenterological applications. University of Bergen,  2012.  ISBN: 978-82-308-2116-9.  
  15. Veronica Solteszova: Perception-Augmenting Illumination. University of Bergen, 2012. ISBN: 978-82-308-2118-3.
  16. Paolo Angelelli: Visual exploration of Human Physiology- Visualising Perfusion, Blood Flow and Aging. University of Bergen, 2012. ISBN: 978-82-308-2073-5.
  17. Maja Mujic: Molecular imaging for cancer diagnostics and targeted therapy. University of Bergen, 2012. ISBN: 978-82-308
  18. Dag Arne Lihaug Hoff: Esophageal pain sensation during bag distension -bichemical or ischemic in origin? Studied by a multi-modal device incorporating laser Doppler flowmetry, endosonography, manometry and bag distension. University of Bergen, 2010. ISBN: 978-82-308-0964-8.
  19. Aymen B. Ahmed: Ultrasound Strain Rate Imaging in Functional Dyspepsia. –In vitro and clinical evaluation (external link), University of Bergen, 2008. ISBN: 978-82-308-0531-2
  20. Johan Lunding: Gastric accommodation in functional dyspepsia -studied by barostat and ultrasonography. University of Bergen, 2008. ISBN: 978-82-308-0524-4.
  21. Ina Hjelland: Lifestyle aspects in functional dyspepsia. Influence of relaxation and meals on vagal activity, gastric accommodation and symptoms (external link). University of Bergen, 2007.
  22. Lars Birger Nesje: Endoscopic ultrasonography in the evaluation gastrointestinal diseases. Methodological aspects and clinical applications. Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen. 2001.
  23. Solomon Tefera: Gastric factors in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis. Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen. 2001.
  24. E. Olafsdottir: Functional abdominal pain in children. Dept of Pediatrics and Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen. 2001.
  25. Kristian Hveem: Insights into gastric antral motility with special references to the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia. Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen. 2001.
  26. KA Undeland: Gastric meal accommodation and vagal tone in patients with diabetes mellitus. Dissertation. Medical Dept. A, University of Bergen. 1998.
  27. Odd Helge Gilja: Functional dyspepsia studied by two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography. Significance of gastric meal accommodation. University of Bergen, 1997. ISBN 82-7788-045-6.
  28. Trygve Hausken: Functional dyspepsia - antral motility and symptoms in response to stress and medical intervention. University of Bergen 1992. 

Library

The group has, through the National Center of Ultrasound in Gastroenterology (NCUG), a small library with relevant titles in our fields.

Our selection is located at Haukeland University Hospital, the main building. Overview of available titles can be found at NCUG's webpage (external link), under Bibliotek. Please contact NCUG's project manager Ingeborg Brønstad if you have inquiries about the library.

People

Group manager
Group members
Group members affiliated with Haukeland University Hospital:
Other group members