Evaluating inflammatory activity in Crohn’s disease by cross-sectional imaging techniques

Abstract The evaluation of inflammatory bowel activity in patients with Crohn’s disease has traditionally been a challenge, mainly because of the difficulty in gaining endoscopic access to the small bowel. Historically, barium-based contrast studies were the only option for the evaluation of inflamm...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiologia brasileira 2020-02, Vol.53 (1), p.38-46
Main Authors: Cantarelli, Bruno Cunha Fialho, Oliveira, Rafael Santiago de, Alves, Aldo Maurici Araújo, Ribeiro, Bruno Jucá, Velloni, Fernanda, D’Ippolito, Giuseppe
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The evaluation of inflammatory bowel activity in patients with Crohn’s disease has traditionally been a challenge, mainly because of the difficulty in gaining endoscopic access to the small bowel. Historically, barium-based contrast studies were the only option for the evaluation of inflammatory activity in Crohn’s disease. They were gradually replaced by cross-sectional imaging techniques, computed tomography enterography (CTE) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) now being the modalities of choice for such evaluations. Those two imaging methods have provided important information regarding intestinal wall involvement and extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease, not only assessing lesion characteristics and complications but also quantifying inflammatory bowel activity. The objective of this article is to review the main technical aspects of CTE and MRE, together with their indications, contraindications, and limitations, as well as the CTE and MRE imaging characteristics of inflammatory activity in Crohn’s disease.
ISSN:1678-7099
DOI:10.1590/0100-3984.2018.0096