Assessment of Crohn's disease activity in the small bowel with MR-enteroclysis: clinico-radiological correlations.
BACKGROUND
The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating Crohn's disease (CD) activity compared to clinical/laboratory data.


METHODS
Ninety-three consecutive patients with CD were prospectively studied by MR imaging, before and after Gadolinium chelates administration, with use of a biphasic endoluminal contrast agent. MR image analysis included: number of lesions, presence/absence of bowel stenosis, upstream bowel dilation, wall thickness, presence of enhancement, enhancement pattern, presence/absence of comb sign, lymph nodes, and perianal fistulas/abscesses. Clinical evaluation was performed by means of Harvey & Bradshaw Index. Acute-phase reactants were considered standard of reference to monitor biological activity (BA). MR imaging findings were compared with clinical and laboratory data.


RESULTS
MR image analysis detected: In 96 exams multiple lesions in 16, 1 in 50; no lesions in 30; stenosis in 52; dilatation in 28; wall thickening in 59; significant enhancement in 57; layered pattern in 50; comb sign in 37; enlarged lymph nodes in 16; fibro-fatty proliferation in 40; fistulas in 9.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is able to depict morphological changes and is helpful in assessing Crohn's inflammatory disease.
Malagò
Roberto
R
Department of Radiology, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona, P.le L.A.Scuro, 10, 37134, Verona, Italy. rmalag@sirm.org
Manfredi
Riccardo
R
Benini
Luigi
L
D'Alpaos
Gianni
G
Mucelli
Roberto Pozzi
RP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium