Feasibility of evaluating Crohn's disease activity at 3.0 Tesla.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether abdominal 3.0T MRI can be used for evaluation of Crohn's disease (CD) compared with ileocolonoscopy (CS), and to determine patient preference for MRI as opposed to CS.


METHODS
Twenty patients scheduled for CS underwent MRI. At CS, disease severity was graded and the Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) was determined. Radiological grading (by two observers) was compared with endoscopic grading and CDEIS. Patient experience and preference were determined.


RESULTS
In respectively 10 (observer 1) and 13 patients (observer 2) exact agreement between radiological and endoscopic grading was found. In respectively 10 and 7 patients radiological and endoscopic grading differed one level. No statistically significant correlation was found between radiological grading and CDEIS. Between bowel wall thickness and CDEIS weak to moderate correlations were found, and between bowel wall enhancement and CDEIS weak correlations were found. All patients preferred MRI over CS.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to perform abdominal 3.0T MRI using orally administered contrast medium for evaluation of CD, and this method can be considered a patient-friendly alternative to CS.
van Gemert-Horsthuis
Karin
K
Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. k.horsthuis@amc.uva.nl
Florie
Jasper
J
Hommes
Daniel W
DW
Lavini
Cristina
C
Reitsma
Johannes B
JB
van Deventer
Sander J
SJ
Stoker
Jaap
J
D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003287:Contrast Media; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA