Activity of Crohn's disease assessed by measurement of superior mesenteric artery flow with Doppler ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) Doppler flow measurements as a marker for disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Duplex Doppler sonographic measurements of SMA bloodflow volume were obtained in 90 patients with suspected or known Crohn's disease in three separate studies. The first study was a pilot study to ascertain the value of Doppler measurements in patients with proven active or inactive disease and to check our performance. In two following studies prospectively a correlation was sought between the independent assessment of Doppler flow measurements and our standard of reference based on clinical history, physical examination, laboratory values, endoscopy, surgery and/or follow-up and prospectively a correlation was sought between Doppler studies and the results of enteroclysis.


RESULTS
In all but two patients (study II) adequate measurements of SMA flow were obtained. In the active patient groups the Doppler SMA flow was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to the inactive patient groups and the control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies show that SMA Doppler flow measurements can be used as a parameter to assess disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.
van Oostayen
J A
JA
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Wasser
M N
MN
Griffioen
G
G
van Hogezand
R A
RA
Lamers
C B
CB
de Roos
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex