Imaging of the small bowel in Crohn's disease: a review of old and new techniques.
The investigation of small bowel morphology is often mandatory in many patients with Crohn's disease. Traditional radiological techniques (small bowel enteroclysis and small bowel follow-through) have long been the only suitable methods for this purpose. In recent years, several alternative imaging techniques have been proposed. To review the most recent advances in imaging studies of the small bowel, with particular reference to their possible application in Crohn's disease, we conducted a complete review of the most important studies in which traditional and newer imaging methods were performed and compared in patients with Crohn's disease. Several radiological and endoscopic techniques are now available for the study of the small bowel; each of them is characterized by a distinct profile of favourable and unfavourable features. In some cases, they may also be used as complementary rather than alternative techniques. In everyday practice, the choice of the technique to be used stands upon its availability and a careful evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, clinical usefulness, safety and cost. The recent development of innovative imaging techniques has opened a new and exciting area in the exploration of the small bowel in Crohn's disease patients.
Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
Simone
S
Saibeni
Emanuele
E
Rondonotti
Andrea
A
Iozzelli
Luisa
L
Spina
Gian-Eugenio
GE
Tontini
Flaminia
F
Cavallaro
Camilla
C
Ciscato
Roberto
R
de Franchis
Francesco
F
Sardanelli
Maurizio
M
Vecchi
D053704:Capsule Endoscopy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography