title: Cross-sectional imaging in Crohn disease.
abstract: The role of cross-sectional imaging in the diagnosis of Crohn disease has expanded with recent technologic advances in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that allow rapid acquisition of high-resolution images of the intestines. To acquire images of diagnostic quality, administration of a fairly large amount of intraluminal contrast agent prior to examination and scanning with intravenous contrast material injection are necessary. Both CT and MR imaging are reported to have a sensitivity of over 95% for the detection of Crohn disease; however, they may not allow early diagnosis. Colonoscopy and conventional enteroclysis studies are indicated for patients with early-stage disease. At more advanced stages, CT and MR imaging can help identify and characterize pathologically altered bowel segments as well as extraluminal lesions (eg, fistulas, abscesses, fibrofatty proliferation, increased vascularity of the vasa recta, mesenteric lymphadenopathy). These modalities can also clearly depict inflammatory lesion activity and conditions that require elective gastrointestinal surgery, thereby aiding in treatment planning. In the clinical setting, CT is currently the imaging modality of choice at most institutions; however, it is expected that MR imaging will soon play a comparable role. CT or MR imaging should be included in a comprehensive evaluation of patients with Crohn disease, along with conventional imaging and clinical and laboratory tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu Shiga 520-2192, Japan. akira@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saotome
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Kiyosumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Norihisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nitta
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsujikawa
authors.forename: Yoshihide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujiyama
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
mesh_terms: D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D001464:Barium; D003287:Contrast Media; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001464:Barium; D005682:Gadolinium