The role of nasoenteric intubation in the MR study of patients with Crohn's disease: our experience and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare magnetic resonance (MR) enteroclysis with MR enterography to verify whether nasoenteric intubation in patients affected by Crohn's disease can provide supplementary information to that afforded by MR study of the small bowel.


METHODS
In a 12-month period, 40 patients (28 women and 12 men, mean age 35 years) affected by Crohn's disease underwent MR imaging. Distension of the small-bowel loops was obtained by administering polyethylene glycol: 15 patients were given the mixture by mouth (MR enterography), whereas the remaining 25 received it via nasoenteric intubation (MR enteroclysis). Our study protocol included morphological sequences taken before and after intravenous injection of contrast medium and real-time functional sequences. Accuracy criteria for the execution of the examinations were designed according to 11 bands.


RESULTS
Complete distension of the small-bowel loops was obtained in the 25 patients who underwent MR enteroclysis, with the additional advantage of a suitable assessment of those segments involved in the pathological process. This was not the case for the 15 patients who underwent MR enterography, because both the jejunum and the small-bowel loops appeared partially collapsed.


CONCLUSIONS
MR enteroclysis is the most effective technique for studying the small bowel in Crohn's disease, as it not only provides a suitable morphological assessment but also supplies functional information.
Cappabianca
S
S
Dipartimento di Internistica clinica e sperimentale Magrassi-Lanzara, Sezione di Radiodiagnostica e Radioterapia, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, P.zza Miraglia 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy.
Granata
V
V
Di Grezia
G
G
Mandato
Y
Y
Reginelli
A
A
Di Mizio
V
V
Grassi
R
R
Rotondo
A
A
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005682:Gadolinium