Inflammatory bowel disease in children and young adults: correlation of sonographic and clinical parameters during treatment

Basic practices for gastrointestinal ultrasound

The standard diagnostic modalities for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases have long been endoscopy and barium enema. Recently, trans-sectional imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have become increasingly utilized in daily practice. In transabdominal ultrasonography (US), the bowel sometimes interferes with the observation of abdominal organs. Additionally, the thin intestinal walls and internal gas can make structures difficult to identify. However, under optimal US equipment settings, with identification of the sonoanatomy and knowledge of the US findings of GI diseases, US can be used effectively to diagnose GI disorders. Thus, the efficacy of GIUS has been gradually recognized, and GIUS guidelines have been published by the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Following a systematic scanning method according to the sonoanatomy and precisely estimating the layered wall structures by employing color Doppler make diagnosing disease and evaluating the degree of inflammation possible. This review describes current GIUS practices from an equipment perspective, a procedure for systematic scanning, typical findings of the normal GI tract, and 10 diagnostic items in an attempt to help medical practitioners effectively perform GIUS and promote the use of GIUS globally.

Advances in Endoscopy for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Endoscopic characterization of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has developed in accordance with advances in treatment and improved understanding of disease progression and complications. Reliable and consistent endoscopic reporting practices and tools continue to evolve. The roles of endoscopic ultrasonography, capsule endoscopy, and deep enteroscopy in the care of children and adolescents with IBD are beginning to be clarified. Opportunities for therapeutic intervention with endoscopy in pediatric IBD, including endoscopic balloon dilation and electroincision therapy, require further study. This review discusses the current utility of endoscopic assessment in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, as well as emerging and evolving techniques to improve patient care.

The Use of Transabdominal Ultrasound in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) is useful in all aspects of lesion screening, monitoring activity, or treating/diagnosing any related complications of inflammatory bowel disease. Its ability to screen or diagnose complications is almost the same as that of other methods, such as CT or MRI. Moreover, its noninvasiveness makes it a first-line examination method. A TAUS image depicting ulcerative colitis will show large intestinal wall thickening that is continuous from the rectum, which is mainly due to mucosal layer thickening, while for Crohn’s disease, a TAUS image is characterized by a diversity in the areas affected, distribution, and layer structure. Indicators of activity monitoring include wall thickness, wall structure, and vascular tests that use Doppler ultrasound or contrast agents. While all of these have been reported to be useful, at this time, no single parameter has been established as superior to others; therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of these parameters is justified. In addition, evaluating the elasticity of lesions using elastography is particularly useful for distinguishing between fibrous and inflammatory stenoses. However, the lack of objectivity is the biggest drawback of using ultrasound. Standardizing and popularizing the ultrasound process will be necessary, including scanning methods, equipment settings, and image analysis.

Insights into the role of gastrointestinal ultrasound in ulcerative colitis

Endoscopic evaluation with histological sampling is the gold standard for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but in the past few years, gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS) has been gaining ground. Due to the transmural nature of inflammation in Crohn's disease, GIUS has been mainly applied in this context. However, GIUS is now being reported to be accurate also for ulcerative colitis (UC). This review summarizes current knowledge on the use of GIUS in UC, with a focus on clinical practice. The review covers topics such as GIUS parameters, especially bowel wall thickness; the use of GIUS in assessing disease extent and in monitoring disease activity; GIUS indexes and scores; and the combination of GIUS with transperineal ultrasound for a better assessment of the rectum. With the always growing body of evidence supporting the accuracy of GIUS in UC, this diagnostic imaging modality can be expected to play a bigger role in disease flare evaluation, early treatment monitoring, and acute severe disease management.

Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is increasingly identified in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but there are few systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the studies of SD in IBD patients. The purpose of the study is to further quantify the association between IBD and SD.

METHODS

MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), and the Cochrane Library (OVID) were searched (until August 2020) to identify observational studies that reported the prevalence and risk factors of SD in IBD patients. Pooled prevalence, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 945 citations evaluated, 18 studies (including 36,676 subjects) reporting the prevalence of SD in the IBD population were included for analysis. The overall pooled prevalence was 39% (95% CI 37-40%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of SD in women was 53% (95% CI 50-55%, P < 0.001), and it was 27% (95% CI 25-29%, P < 0.001) in men. The prevalence was higher in conjunction with operation (OR, 1.33, 95% CI 1.22-1.45, P < 0.001), depression (OR 6.14, 95% CI 3.51-10.76, P < 0.001), disease activity (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.32-5.64, P = 0.007), comorbidities (OR 3.21, 95% CI 2.06-5.00, P < 0.001), age < 50 years (OR 3.85, 95% CI 2.41-6.14, P < 0.001), and the need for corticosteroids (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.48-4.66, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SD occurred frequently in the IBD population. Operation, depression, disease activity, comorbidities, age < 50 years, and the need for corticosteroids were risk factors for SD in IBD patients. SD screening might be recommended in IBD patients with the aforementioned factors.

Intestinal ultrasound for monitoring therapeutic response in patients with ulcerative colitis: results from the TRUST&UC study

OBJECTIVE

Prospective evaluation of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for disease monitoring of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in routine medical practice.

DESIGN

TRansabdominal Ultrasonography of the bowel in Subjects with IBD To monitor disease activity with UC (TRUST&UC) was a prospective, observational study at 42 German inflammatory bowel disease-specialised centres representing different care levels. Patients with a diagnosis of a proctosigmoiditis, left-sided colitis or pancolitis currently in clinical relapse (defined as Short Clinical Colitis Activity Index ≥5) were enrolled consecutively. Disease activity and vascularisation within the affected bowel wall areas were assessed by duplex/Colour Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS

At baseline, 88.5% (n=224) of the patients had an increased bowel wall thickness (BWT) in the descending or sigmoid colon. Even within the first 2 weeks of the study, the percentage of patients with an increased BWT in the sigmoid or descending colon decreased significantly (sigmoid colon 89.3%-38.6%; descending colon 83.0%-42.9%; p<0.001 each) and remained low at week 6 and 12 (sigmoid colon 35.4% and 32.0%; descending colon 43.4% and 37.6%; p<0.001 each). Normalisation of BWT and clinical response after 12 weeks of treatment showed a high correlation (90.5% of patients with normalised BWT had symptomatic response vs 9.5% without symptomatic response; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IUS may be preferred in general practice in a point-of-care setting for monitoring the disease course and for assessing short-term treatment response. Our findings give rise to the assumption that monitoring BWT alone has the potential to predict the therapeutic response, which has to be verified in future studies.

Systematic Review: Clinical Utility of Gastrointestinal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis, Assessment and Management of Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gastrointestinal ultrasound is useful in the assessment of patients with Crohn's disease, but its application in ulcerative colitis [UC] is less well established. Here we systematically review the role of gastrointestinal ultrasound in patients with UC.

METHODS

Searches of the PUBMED and EMBASE databases were performed with the following search strategy: [ultrasound OR sonography] AND [intestinal OR bowel] AND [ulcerative colitis OR inflammatory bowel disease]. The final search was performed in August 2019.

RESULTS

Of 6769 studies identified in the search with a further two studies found from other sources, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. Increased bowel wall thickness and detection of increased blood flow by colour Doppler were the most often applied criteria for defining disease activity and distribution. When compared with other reference investigations, gastrointestinal ultrasound accurately determined disease extent, severity and response to medical therapy. While further information can be obtained from haemodynamic measurements of the abdominal vessels and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, their clinical value was uncertain. Likewise, hydrocolonic sonography has few advantages over standard gastrointestinal ultrasound examination. Of several scoring systems proposed, there is disparity between the measures and a general lack of validation. There has been limited application of gastrointestinal ultrasound in acute severe ulcerative colitis with toxic megacolon, and, while performing well in children, normal limits differ from those in adults.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence indicates that gastrointestinal ultrasound has utility in the non-invasive assessment of patients with UC. Continued advances in technology with better image resolution, validation of scoring systems and application at the point of care by gastroenterologists are likely to contribute to increased use of gastrointestinal ultrasound in routine clinical practice.

Reliability of EUS indices to detect inflammation in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

EUS is a potentially useful modality to assess severity of inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). We assessed the reliability of existing EUS indices and correlated them with endoscopic and histologic scores.

METHODS

Four blinded endosonographers assessed 58 endoscopic and EUS videos in triplicate, from patients with UC. Intrarater and interrater reliability of the hyperemia and Tsuga scores were estimated by using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Correlation with the Mayo endoscopy score, modified Baron score (MBS), Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS), and Geboes histopathology score (GHS) were calculated by using bootstrapping methods. A RAND consensus process led to development of standardized definitions and a revised EUS-UC score.

RESULTS

ICCs for intrarater reliability were 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.80) for the hyperemia score and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89) for the Tsuga score. Corresponding values for interrater reliability were 0.34 (95% CI, 0.25-0.42) and 0.36 (95% CI, 0.24-0.46). Correlation between hyperemia and Tsuga scores to Mayo scoring system, MBS, UCEIS, and the GHS were 0.39 (95% CI, 0.15-0.61) and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.04-0.51), 0.38 (95% CI, 0.16-0.57) and 0.25 (95% CI, -0.01-0.48), 0.41 (95% CI, 0.16-0.62) and 0.27 (95% CI, 0.01-0.50), 0.37 (95% CI, -0.01-0.48) and 0.24 (95% CI, 0.13-0.57), respectively. The revised EUS-UC score included bowel wall thickening, depth of inflammation, and hyperemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Although substantial to almost perfect intrarater agreement existed for EUS indices in UC, interrater agreement was fair. Standardization of item definitions with development of a revised evaluative instrument has potential application as an evaluative and prognostic tool for UC. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01852760.).

Utility of MR enterography and ultrasound for the investigation of small bowel Crohn's disease

Cross sectional Imaging plays an increasingly important role the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease. Particular emphasis is placed on MRI and Ultrasound as they do not impart ionising radiation. Both modalities have reported high sensitivity for disease detection, activity assessment and evaluation of extra-luminal complications, and have positive effects on clinical decision making. International Guidelines now recommend MRI and Ultrasound in the routine management of Crohn's disease patients. This article reviews the current evidence base supporting both modalities with an emphasis on the key clinical questions. We describe current protocols, basic imaging findings and highlight areas in need of further research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 4 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1573-1588.

Particularities of Crohn's disease in pediatric patients: current status and perspectives regarding imaging modalities

A consensus on the best imaging modality evaluating inflammatory bowel disease in the pediatric population is lacking and it is often unclear which modality to choose in specific clinical circumstances. Children with inflammatory bowel disease are exposed to ionizing radiation from multiple imaging studies performed at initial diagnosis, throughout treatment and during the follow-up period. This paper discusses the value of different imaging techniques in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease and gives a review of the literature. In addition, particular features of inflammatory bowel disease in children including the predilection of affected segments in the gastrointestinal tract are highlighted. Based on current literature knowledge, we encourage an integrative approach to the interpretation of clinical and imaging data for diagnosis and follow-up in daily clinical settings.

Ultrasound: the triage tool in the emergency department: using ultrasound first

Ultrasound in the emergency department has long been recognized as a powerful screening and diagnostic tool for both physicians and radiologists. In the emergency department, since time is of the essence, it becomes a critical tool in triaging patients. Over the years, ultrasound has gained several advantages over other modalities because of its non-ionizing radiation, portability, accessibility, non-invasive method and simpler learning curve. As a result, ultrasound has become one of the most frequently used diagnostic tools in the emergency department by non-radiologists. The value of ultrasound is implemented in every acute ailment in the emergency department such as trauma, acute abdomen, acute pelvic pain, acute scrotal pain, appendicitis in children and acute deep venous thrombosis. Our objective is to discuss the benefit of using ultrasound as the primary modality for each of these diseases.

Ultrasonographic imaging of inflammatory bowel disease in pediatric patients

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal diseases in pediatric patients. Choosing the optimal imaging modality for the assessment of gastrointestinal disease in pediatric patients can be challenging. The invasiveness and patient acceptance, the radiation exposure and the quality performance of the diagnostic test need to be considered. By reviewing the literature regarding imaging in inflammatory bowel disease the value of ultrasound in the clinical management of pediatric patients is highlighted. Transabdominal ultrasound is a useful, noninvasive method for the initial diagnosis of IBD in children; it also provides guidance for therapeutic decisions and helps to characterize and predict the course of the disease in individual patients. Ultrasound techniques including color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are promising imaging tools to determine disease activity and complications. Comparative studies between different imaging methods are needed.

Sonography of acute appendicitis and its mimics in children

The diagnosis of acute right lower quadrant pain in a pediatric population is challenging. Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute surgical abdomen. The common mimics of acute appendicitis are acute gastrointestinal and gynecologic diseases. This article reviews the sonographic findings of the spectrum of common acute abdominal emergencies in children with a focus on imaging clues to a specific diagnosis. This awareness can impact on diagnostic accuracy and impact patient management.

Ultrasonography of the colon in pediatric ulcerative colitis: a prospective, blind, comparative study with colonoscopy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the usefulness of colonic ultrasonography (US) in assessing the extent and activity of disease in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) and to compare US findings with clinical and endoscopic features.

STUDY DESIGN

Consecutive pediatric patients (n = 60) with a diagnosis of UC and suspected disease flare-up were prospectively enrolled; of these, 50 patients were eligible for the study. All underwent clinical evaluation, bowel US with color Doppler examination and colonoscopy. Blind US was performed the day before endoscopy in all patients. The US assessed variables were bowel wall thickness >3 mm, bowel wall stratification, vascularity, presence of haustra coli, and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes.

RESULTS

The endoscopic extent of disease was independently confirmed in 47 patients by US that yielded a 90% concordance with endoscopy (95% CI 0.82-0.96). Multiple regression analysis showed that US measurements with an independent predictive value of severity at endoscopy were increased bowel wall thickness (P < .0008), increased vascularity (P < .002), loss of haustra (P = .031), and loss of stratification of the bowel wall (P = .021). Each variable was assigned a value of 1 if present. The US score strongly correlated with clinical (r = 0.94) and endoscopic activity (r = 0.90) of disease (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Colonic US is a useful first line noninvasive tool to assess the extent and activity of disease in children with UC and to estimate the severity of a flare-up, prior to further invasive tests.

Doppler US measurement of the superior mesenteric artery blood flow in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) measured by pulsed Doppler has been used in adults to evaluate Crohn disease but has not been utilized in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a cutoff point for normal SMA blood flow using pulsed Doppler US measurement in healthy children and adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included healthy volunteers from an urban community, divided into two age groups, children (5-9 years) and adolescents (10-17 years). Anthropometric measurements included waist circumference and body surface area classified according to the z-score of body mass index. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature were measured immediately before US evaluation.

RESULTS

The average age of the 60 participants was 12.2 years. Of these, 21 (35%) were ages 5-9 years and 39 (65%) were ages 10-17 years; 21 (35%) were boys. Findings of the two examiners coincided for 58 of the 60 (96.7%) participants. SMA blood flow was significantly lower in the children (mean ± SD = 556 ± 122 ml/min) than in adolescents (mean ± SD 775 ± 311 ml/min) (P < 0.001). SMA blood flow showed statistically significant positive associations with body surface area.

CONCLUSION

We found that superior mesenteric artery blood flow is significantly lower in children than in adolescents and is associated with body surface area.

Investigation of small bowel in pediatric Crohn's disease

Investigation of the small bowel has been traditionally a challenge for pediatric gastroenterologists due to its location, anatomical tortuosity, and invasiveness of the available techniques. Recently, there has been a remarkable improvement in imaging and endoscopic tools aimed at exploring successfully the small intestine in inflammatory bowel disease. The former are represented by ultrasonography (either alone or with administration of oral contrast agents) and by magnetic resonance: both have provided accurate methods to detect structural bowel changes, diminishing patient discomfort and precluding radiation hazard. The use of traditional radiologic techniques such as fluoroscopy have been markedly reduced due to radiation exposure and inability to depict transmural inflammation or extraluminal complications. Among the novel endoscopic tools, capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy have tremendously opened new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives, by allowing the direct visualization of small intestinal mucosa and, through enteroscopy, histological diagnosis as well as therapeutic interventions such as stricture dilation and bleeding treatment. These endoscopic techniques should always be preceded by imaging of the intestine in order to identify strictures. This review describes the most recent progress with the employment of novel imaging and endoscopic methodologies for investigating the small bowel in children with suspected or established Crohn's disease.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of bowel wall thickness and intramural blood flow in ulcerative colitis

Aim. This study aimed at assessing Doppler ultrasonographic findings of gut wall vessels and thickness in active and quiescent ulcerative colitis. Methods. Fifty patients with ulcerative colitis were studied using transabdominal grayscale and Doppler sonography of sigmoid, distal and middle parts of descending colon in different stages of the disease. Thickness of colon wall in the most involved site, number of color signals in each box, resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were evaluated. Results. The median thickness of the colon wall in the most involved sites was 4.3 mm in acute phase and 4.4 mm in the inactive phase (P = 0.47). The median number of the color signals in the active phase at the most involved site, distal part of descending colon and sigmoid was higher than that of the color signals in the inactive phase (P = 0.0001). In the most involved site, the PI and RI were undetectable in the inactive phase. The median PI was 1.4 in the mild phase, 1.3 in the moderate phase, and 1.1 in the severe phase (P = 0.002). Conclusion. In contrast to the colon wall thickness, increased intramural blood flow reflected the clinical severity in ulcerative colitis patients.

Graded compression and power Doppler ultrasonography versus endoscopy to assess paediatric Crohn disease activity pre- and posttreatment

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess whether power Doppler ultrasound (PDU) can serve as a reliable replacement for endoscopy in follow-up assessment of disease activity in children with Crohn disease.

METHODS

Nineteen children (13 boys), median age 14.8 (5.4-15.8) years, with macroscopically diagnosed Crohn disease were included in the study. Clinical parameters, histological evaluation, and graded PDU assessments were undertaken in all patients at diagnosis and following their initial treatment. Discriminant analysis was used to build predictive models from the PDU data for the histological evaluation.

RESULTS

The median Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) was 31.5 (15.5-42.0) at diagnosis. All clinical and ultrasonographic parameters and the histological evaluation showed an improvement between pre- versus posttreatment results; 1-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference because of treatment (P < 0.005) for all variables apart from the superior mesenteric artery flow (SMA); paired sample t tests indicated that these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001), with the exception of SMA (P = 0.178). There was a statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the platelet count and the bowel wall stratification (STRAT). Significant correlation was also observed between the histology findings and the mean mucosal, transmural, and segmental flow (MFL) and STRAT and between platelets and both MFL and small bowel thickening (SBT) (P < 0.01 in all cases). There was a statistically significant correlation (P < 0.05) between C-reactive protein and MFL and between histology and SBT, MFL, and STRAT. Discriminant analysis using discriminating factors SBT, STRAT, and MFL could assign 84.6% of cases to the correct classification of "no/mild inflammation" or "medium/severe inflammation."

CONCLUSIONS

Results obtained using power Doppler ultrasonography and endoscopy showed statistically significant correlations. Power Doppler sonography, in the hands of an experienced examiner, can be used for follow-up assessment of disease activity in children with Crohn disease.

Abdominal tumor characterization and recognition using superior-order cooccurrence matrices, based on ultrasound images

The noninvasive diagnosis of the malignant tumors is an important issue in research nowadays. Our purpose is to elaborate computerized, texture-based methods for performing computer-aided characterization and automatic diagnosis of these tumors, using only the information from ultrasound images. In this paper, we considered some of the most frequent abdominal malignant tumors: the hepatocellular carcinoma and the colonic tumors. We compared these structures with the benign tumors and with other visually similar diseases. Besides the textural features that proved in our previous research to be useful in the characterization and recognition of the malignant tumors, we improved our method by using the grey level cooccurrence matrix and the edge orientation cooccurrence matrix of superior order. As resulted from our experiments, the new textural features increased the malignant tumor classification performance, also revealing visual and physical properties of these structures that emphasized the complex, chaotic structure of the corresponding tissue.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in Crohn's disease: technique, image interpretation and clinical applications

BACKGROUND: Recent meta-analysis has demonstrated no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy among different imaging techniques (US, MRI and CT) in the evaluation of Crohn's disease (CD). High-resolution bowel ultrasound has emerged as an alternative imaging technique for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with CD, being as accurate as CT and MR for detecting intramural and extramural extension of the disease. B-Mode US can evaluate the localization and length of the affected intestinal segments and allow identification of transmural complications, stenosis and intestinal obstruction. Doppler techniques are tools that visualize and quantify bowel vascularization. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a new technique that involves IV administration of an ultrasound contrast agent with real-time examination, providing an accurate depiction of the bowel wall microvascularization and the perienteric tissues. The introduction of imaging quantification techniques enables an objective quantitative measurement of the enhancement. METHOD AND RESULTS: The article reviews the technique, sonographic findings, advantages and limitations, and clinical applications of contrast-enhanced US in the evaluation of Cohn's disease. Current CEUS applications in CD are: CD activity assessment, evaluation of inflammatory masses, distinguishing phlegmons from abscesses, characterization of stenosis by differentiating fibrosis from inflammation, monitoring the efficacy of drug treatments and improving the detection of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: CEUS is an emerging technique that is part of the entire sonographic evaluation, with a role in the diagnosis and follow-up of CD, thus improving therapy planning and monitoring of the efficacy of treatment. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13244-011-0124-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Abdominal sonographic changes after antibody to tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) alpha therapy in Crohn's Disease

Prospective study carried out on 24 consecutive patients with Crohn's Disease, using sonography to assess changes caused by biological therapy and its relationship with the clinical-biological response. The Crohn's Disease Activity Index, the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein and abdominal sonograms (to assess the thickness and Doppler flow grade of the bowel wall and to detect the presence of any complications) were carried out one week prior to the induction treatment and two weeks after. The biological therapy induced remission or a partial response in 46% and 25% of the patients, respectively. It also caused a significant reduction in the thickness of the bowel wall (P = 0.005) and Doppler flow (P = 0.02), leading to the disappearance of complications in 50% of the patients. Sonographic changes were significantly more marked in patients who achieved some type of clinical-biological response, in such a way that sonograms were improved in 65% (P = 0.001) and complications disappeared in 100% of patients (P = 0.005) compared to those patients who did not respond to treatment. However, sonographic normality was only achieved in five out of 17 (29%) reactive patients (P = 0.27). This fact may support the use of sonography as a technique for optimizing the biological treatment of Crohn's Disease.

Crohn disease: correlation of findings at contrast-enhanced US with severity at endoscopy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of visualization of vascularization at contrast material-enhanced ultrasonography (US) for assessment of the activity of Crohn disease, with severity grade determined at endoscopy as the reference standard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethics committee approval and written informed consent were obtained. Sixty-one patients (age range, 21-67 years; median age, 36 years) who had Crohn disease underwent both colonoscopy and US, including color Doppler and contrast-enhanced US, prospectively. To assess the vascularization of the involved bowel loop in a region expected to be seen at colonoscopy, the contrast agent uptake was measured by using quantitative analysis of the enhancement in regions of interest. Measurement of contrast enhancement was assessed as the increase in wall brightness with respect to the baseline brightness. Results were compared with the severity grade determined at endoscopy by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Colonoscopy showed inflammatory lesions in 53 patients (mild disease, seven; moderate disease, 12; and severe disease, 34). Bowel wall thickness and grade at color Doppler US (P = .019 and .002, respectively) correlated with severity grade at endoscopy. Mural contrast enhancement in patients with active disease at endoscopy was markedly increased in comparison with enhancement in patients with inactive disease (P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in wall brightness was a significant and independent variable predictive of severity grade at endoscopy. A threshold brightness value of percentage of increase of 46% had a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 73%, respectively, in the prediction of moderate or severe grade for inflammation at endoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative measurements of bowel enhancement obtained by using contrast-enhanced US correlate with severity grade determined at endoscopy. Contrast-enhanced US could be a useful technique to monitor the activity of Crohn disease.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.2531082269/-/DC1.

Assessment of the extension and the inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease: comparison of ultrasound and MRI

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this prospective study was twofold: to examine the efficacy of MRI and sonography in the assessment of Crohn's disease (CD) activity in comparison with clinical scoring and biologic tests and to compare both techniques in the evaluation of extension and transmural complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty patients with histologically proven Crohn's disease were prospectively examined the same day first with sonography and after MRI. Sonographic exam included evaluation of bowel wall thickness, vascularity pattern, and perienteric changes. Thirty minutes prior to MRI imaging, patients were given 250 mL of dilute sodium phosphate solution and additional 750 mL of water orally. MRI images evaluation included bowel wall thickening, bowel wall enhancement, and perienteric changes. The gastrointestinal tract was divided into five segments. Findings and extension of the both techniques were verified by means of barium studies, surgery, or/and colonoscopy. The sonographic and MR findings were compared with clinical and laboratory data.

RESULTS

About 53 of 119 (45%) bowel segments showed pathological changes in gold standard tests. Sonography was superior to MRI in the localization of affected bowel segments (sensitivity: US 91%; MRI 83%; intertechniques agreement, kappa: 0.905) and in recognizing transmural complications (sensitivity: US 80%; MRI 72%), although significant differences were not found (p > 0.05). A statistically significant correlation between color Doppler flow and MR bowel wall enhancement (segment-by-segment analysis and per patient analysis; p > 0.5), and between perienteric changes in both techniques (p > 0.5) were found. Wall thickness measured on sonography was significantly greater in the group of patients with clinical activity (p = 0.023) or with clinical-biologic activity (p = 0.024). Grades of hyperemia and MR contrast enhancement of patients with clinical-biologic activity was higher than in patients without clinical-biologic activity (p = 0.019; p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

In summary, both ultrasound and MRI are sensitive to localize the affected bowel segments and to detect transmural complications in patients with Crohn's disease. A significant correlation between color Doppler flow and bowel wall enhancement on MRI was found. Sonographic wall thickness, color Doppler flow, and bowel wall enhancement on MRI are related with clinical or biologic activity.

Reproducibility of bowel ultrasonography in the evaluation of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Bowel ultrasonography is increasingly used in the detection and follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease, but a limitation to its further diffusion is the lack of standardisation of ultrasonography parameters.

AIMS

This study aimed to standardise the most common bowel ultrasonography parameters in order to develop an unequivocal imaging interpretation and to assess bowel ultrasonography reproducibility.

PATIENTS

Twenty patients with Crohn's disease were examined.

METHODS

Six ultrasonographers (mean bowel ultrasonography experience=16 years) performed the study. They chose and discussed a common assessment methodology concerning eight ultrasonography parameters: bowel wall thickness, bowel wall pattern, bowel wall blood flow, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, mesenteric hypertrophy, abdominal free fluid, and stenosis or fistulae at four preliminary meetings. The day of the study operators were randomised to two rooms where they independently and in turn performed ultrasonography scans. Interobserver agreement was scored by kappa statistics.

RESULTS

Excellent k values were observed for bowel wall thickness (0.72-1). k Values were poor for bowel wall pattern (-0.22-0.85) and good for bowel wall blood flow (0.53-0.89). The presence of lymph nodes was reproducible (0.56-0.90) except in one case (0.25). Concordance on free fluid was excellent (0.85-1), whereas that on mesenteric hypertrophy was generally poor (0.14-0.69). Agreement was excellent for stenosis (0.81-1) whereas that for fistula was fair in room abscesses (0.31-0.48) and very good in room B (0.87-1).

CONCLUSION

Bowel ultrasonography signs used in Crohn's disease can be standardised as most of them showed a fair to good reproducibility. In particular, bowel wall thickness, the most relevant parameter for Crohn's disease detection, showed an excellent reproducibility.

Crohn's disease and color Doppler sonography: response to treatment and its relationship with long-term prognosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the ability of sonography to detect changes in patients undergoing treatment for Crohn's disease and whether these findings are related to the patient's long-term outcome.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with Crohn's disease were examined prospectively using gray-scale and color Doppler sonography before and during treatment. Three sonographic examinations were made: on the first day of treatment, between 3 and 8 days later, and approximately 4 weeks after starting the treatment. Sonographic examination included an evaluation of maximum bowel wall thickness and vascularity pattern. The sonographic data were compared with clinical and laboratory data, and possible relation with the patient's long-term outcome was considered.

RESULTS

Initial baseline sonograms revealed at least 1 thickened segment of the bowel wall in all of the patients. In this initial examination, 18 of 22 patients (81%) with clinically active disease had moderate or marked parietal vascularity. A statistically significant reduction in the vascularity of the affected bowel was observed on the third sonographic examination (p < 0.05). Seventeen patients who were in clinical remission had relapses and were treated with immunosuppressive therapy or surgery during the follow-up. Eighty-six percent of the patients with residual hyperemia on sonographic examination after treatment had an unfavorable clinical course compared with only 30% of the patients with no, or barely visible, residual hyperemia (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Sonography can identify bowel inflammation and its changes during treatment. In patients with Crohn's disease, hyperemia on color Doppler sonography during clinical remission after treatment may reflect an increased risk of relapse.

Grey-scale and colour Doppler sonography in the evaluation of children with suspected bowel inflammation: correlation with colonoscopy and histological findings

AIM

To evaluate the correlation of grey-scale and colour Doppler sonography with colonoscopy and histology to detect bowel inflammation in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The records of 72 patients with suspected bowel inflammation were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were included in the study if sonography had been performed up to 30 days before colonoscopy. Grey-scale and colour Doppler sonography were used to evaluate bowel wall thickness and vascularity for the detection of distal bowel inflammation. Findings were correlated with colonoscopy and histological findings. The sensitivity and specificity of sonographic wall thickness to detect inflammation was determined. Spearman's coefficient (rs) was used to determine the correlation of Doppler findings with colonoscopy/histology.

RESULTS

Sonograms of 372 bowel segments were evaluated and results were correlated with colonoscopy and histological findings of 352 segments. The sensitivity and specificity of sonographic bowel thickness to detect inflammation in the terminal ileum and the right colon were high; in the other segments, specificity was high but sensitivity was low. The correlation of Doppler sonography with colonoscopy and histology to detect inflammation in the terminal ileum was strong (rs: 0.84; p<0.001) and in the other segments, weak to moderate; when the interval between examinations was shorter than 10 days, the correlation was stronger in all segments. Of nine patients with abnormal small bowel sonograms but normal colonoscopies, three had Crohn's disease.

CONCLUSION

Sensitivity and specificity of grey-scale sonography to detect inflammation in the terminal ileum and the right colon were high, and the correlation of Doppler with colonoscopy and histology was very strong in the same segments.

Radiation doses from small-bowel follow-through and abdominopelvic MDCT in Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to compare organ and effective doses for small-bowel follow-through (SBFT) and abdominopelvic MDCT in adults with Crohn's disease, to retrospectively evaluate the number of radiographic examinations performed for Crohn's disease indications, and to identify those patients undergoing serial examinations to better delineate the use of radiology in the diagnosis and clinical management of Crohn's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using an anthropomorphic phantom and metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters, specific organ doses were measured for 5 minutes of continuous fluoroscopy (kVp, 120; mA, 0.6) of each of the following: right lower quadrant, central abdomen, and pelvis. Effective doses were determined based on International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 60 weighting factors. Organ and effective doses were determined for abdominal and pelvic 16-MDCT: detector configuration, 16 x 0.625 mm; pitch, 1.75; 17.5 mm per rotation; rotation time, 0.5 second; 140 kVp; 340 mA. Electronic records were reviewed to determine the number of patients imaged for Crohn's disease indications and the number of studies per patient.

RESULTS

The highest fluoroscopic organ doses were as follows: in the right lower quadrant, right kidney (0.78 cGy) and marrow (0.66 cGy); in the central abdomen, kidneys (1.5 and 1.6 cGy) and marrow (0.76 cGy); and in the pelvis, marrow (0.67-0.95 cGy). Effective doses for the right lower quadrant, central abdomen, and pelvis were 1.37, 2.02, and 3.83 mSv, respectively. For MDCT, the highest organ doses were to the liver (2.95-3.33 cGy). The effective dose for abdominopelvic MDCT was 16.1 mSv. Three hundred seventy-three patients underwent imaging for Crohn's disease. The average number of SBFT and CT examinations was 1.8 and 2.3, respectively. Thirty-four (9%) of 373 patients underwent more than five CT examinations and 11 (3%) had more than 10.

CONCLUSION

Organ and effective doses are up to five times higher with MDCT than with SBFT. Crohn's disease is more frequently imaged with CT. For a subset of patients who undergo numerous CT examinations, efforts should be made to minimize the number of CT examinations, decrease the CT dose, or consider MR enterography.

Ultrasonography of Crohn disease in children

US is increasingly performed in Crohn disease (CD) in children as a first line imaging modality. It reduces the use of other more invasive examinations such as endoscopy, CT or contrast enema. We describe bowel ultrasonography technique, normal bowel appearances on US and pathological patterns in CD. We discuss the current role and limitations of bowel US in CD in children including diagnosis, extent of disease, assessment of disease activity, follow-up and detection of complications. The diagnostic accuracy of US is discussed according to the literature and compared to other imaging modalities. US is currently used for screening in children with the suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a good negative predictive value. In follow-up, US has a role in monitoring medical treatment by evaluating disease activity, extent of disease and for detecting complications.

Técnicas seccionales de imagen en la enfermedad de Crohn: ecografía, tomografía computarizada y resonancia magnética

Colonoscopy and Barium contrast studies continue to be the techniques of choice for the evaluation of mucosal lesions in Crohn's disease. However, these techniques have limited capacity for demonstrating the transmural and extramural extension of the disease. Although ultrasound, CT, and MRI cannot detect early lesions, these techniques satisfactorily show parietal and extraparietal changes caused by the disease, thus complementing the information provided in conventional studies. These three techniques enable the evaluation of the pathological segments, the presence of stenosis and dilatation, and extramural disease (fibrofatty proliferation, fistulae, phlegmons, and abscesses). This information is essential for classifying each patient into one of the three subtypes of Crohn's disease (inflammatory, stenotic, or fistulating). These techniques also enable the evaluation of signs that indicate inflammatory activity (hyperemia, wall enhancement, and increased mesenteric vascularization), and this information, together with the subtype, will determine the treatment. Ultrasound, CT, and MRI should be included in the complete evaluation of the patient with Crohn's disease, together with clinical examination, laboratory tests, and conventional imaging studies. We review the role of ultrasound, CT, and MRI in the diagnosis and evaluation of Crohn's disease, describing patient preparation and examination protocols, as well as the findings in these three techniques. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each of these techniques and their current clinical roles in this context.

Sonographic evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective, blinded, comparative study

BACKGROUND

Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergo invasive and repeated investigations, including contrast radiology and endoscopy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess transabdominal sonography of the colon and distal ileum compared to colonoscopy and barium radiology in known or suspected IBD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospectively recruited cohort of 44 children (median age 12 years, range 3.5-16.5 years; 24 males) underwent transabdominal sonography prior to colonoscopy (n=33) or barium follow-through (n=25). Diagnoses were: Crohn disease (n=25), ulcerative colitis (n=12), indeterminate colitis (n=1), normal (n=6).

RESULTS

Bowel wall thickness (BWT) and endoscopic severity were compared in 153 colonic segments. No difference was found between normal and mildly affected segments. BWT was less in normal bowel than moderate (P<0.001) or severe (P<0.001) lesions. Where BWT was >2.9 mm, sensitivity for moderate/severe disease was 48%, specificity 93%, positive predictive value 83% (likelihood ratio 7). Barium radiology showed terminal ileum abnormality in ten patients (40%). Where ileal BWT was >2.5 mm, comparative sensitivity was 75%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 88% (likelihood ratio 9). Superior mesenteric artery Doppler did not correlate with disease severity.

CONCLUSION

Increased BWT has good positive predictive value for moderate/severe disease in the colon proximal to the rectum (>3 mm), and terminal ileum (>2.5 mm). BWT below this cannot exclude moderate/severe mucosal lesions.

Clinical and imaging mimickers of acute appendicitis in the pediatric population

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to present the imaging appearance of common mimickers of appendicitis in children with right lower quadrant pain.

CONCLUSION

The majority of children who undergo imaging for suspected appendicitis will end up having an alternative diagnosis. These mimickers can be gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or pulmonary. Familiarity with these alternative diagnoses can aid in the challenging task of imaging right lower quadrant pain in the pediatric population.

Bowel wall enhancement in magnetic resonance colonography for assessing activity in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

This study focuses on the correlation of the signal intensity (SI) of the bowel wall in magnetic resonance (MR) colonography with the inflammation activity in Crohn's disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed MR colonography in 42 patients and compared the change of the SI of the bowel wall (T1-weighted/paramagnetic contrast medium) with colonoscopic findings.

RESULTS

Change of the SI and colonoscopically assessed inflammatory activity are significantly correlated (r=.676, P<or=.01).

CONCLUSION

The degree of the contrast enhancement of the bowel wall may be a criterion for the degree of inflammation in Crohn's disease.

Role of US in detection of Crohn disease: meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in the detection of Crohn disease in adults by systematically reviewing both cohort studies (those including patients whose clinical characteristics were consistent with those caused by an inflammatory bowel disease) and case-control studies (those in which patients with Crohn disease were compared with patients with other bowel diseases or healthy control subjects).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were used to retrieve all the cross-sectional studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of US against that of one of several predefined reference standards (ie, radiologic, endoscopic, or histologic findings). The studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were identified, and their methodological quality was evaluated. Of the 2860 primary studies identified, two case-control and five cohort series fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Statistical analysis was performed by using the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) model.

RESULTS

The ranges of US sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Crohn disease reported for the included series were 75%-94% and 67%-100%, respectively; the heterogeneity of these values prevented the calculation of a cumulative value. The SROC curve revealed a clear cutoff effect that depended on the chosen bowel wall thickness threshold. Sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 93%, respectively, were achieved when a bowel wall thickness threshold greater than 3 mm was used, and sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 97%, respectively, were achieved when a threshold greater than 4 mm was used.

CONCLUSION

US examination seems appropriate for confirming or excluding Crohn disease as a diagnosis in a clinical context characterized by a pretest probability of Crohn disease that ranges from 12% to about 60%. In particular, for Crohn disease limited to the ileum, US may represent a valid alternative to the small-bowel series, while for colonic involvement US may be useful in ruling out the diagnosis.

Modern imaging of Crohn's disease using bowel ultrasound

Technological advancement of ultrasound (US) equipments and understanding of bowel appearances with high resolution US during the last decade has led to consideration of this imaging procedure as an important tool for inflammatory bowel diseases assessment. In particular, Crohn's disease (CD) for its pathologic characteristics (that is, inflammatory infiltration of the entire bowel wall with possible extension to the surrounding mesentery) is the disease entity which has mainly taken advantage from this non-invasive, radiation-free technique. Beside correctly defining anatomic location and extension of CD lesions within the bowel in the majority of cases, US also shows perigut abnormalities and may demonstrate complications such as fistulas and abscesses. With the help of Power Doppler function, some additional information may be obtained about the local activity of the disease which is particularly useful in the presence of strictures. New US technologies (such as those using intravenous bolus contrast agents or oral nonabsorbable anechoic solutions) may further improve diagnostic capability of US in this context, thus probably revolutioning the diagnostic approach to this disease in the near future, particularly during follow-up in CD of the small bowel.

Clinical relevance of transabdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with inflammatory bowel disease of the terminal ileum and large bowel

BACKGROUND

Ileocolonoscopy represents the diagnostic standard in the work-up of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Patients are often reluctant to be colonoscoped because of the invasiveness and pain sensation during colonoscopy.

AIMS

To compare the usefulness oftransabdominal ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing disease extension and activity in patients with IBD restricted to the terminal ileum and large bowel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

61 patients with IBD [37 Crohn's disease (CD) and 24 ulcerative colitis (UC)] were prospectively studied. All patients underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, ileocolonoscopy, transabdominal sonography, and MRI within 5 days. Involved bowel segments were defined as those with bowel wall thickness >3 mm and increased Doppler signal on US or contrast enhancement of the bowel wall on MRI. To compare disease activity endoscopic, MRI and US findings were graded with newly developed scores.

RESULTS

The segment-by-segment analysis revealed an overall accuracy of 89% for US and 73% for MRI in identifying active IBD. The accuracy was better in patients with UC than in patients with CD for both US and MRI. The endoscopic activity index (EAI) correlated stronger with the US activity index (r = 0.884) than with the MRI activity index (r = 0.344). The correlation of US and MRI activity indices with EAI was better in patients with UC compared with patients with CD. All three imaging methods showed a significant correlation with clinical disease activity in patients with UC but not in patients with CD.

CONCLUSION

This study provides strong evidence that US should be considered as a first-choice method for follow-up of patients with IBD of the terminal ileum and large bowel.

Exploration de l’intestin grêle par les techniques d’imagerie en coupes

Recent advances of cross sectional imaging allow optimal evaluation of the small bowel. This chapter will detail technical considerations and emphasize the role of imaging in the evaluation of the most common diseases of the small bowel.

Bowel wall thickening in patients with Crohn's disease: CT patterns and correlation with inflammatory activity

AIM

To assess CT patterns of bowel wall thickening in patients with Crohn's disease and to correlate these patterns with inflammatory activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 58 helical abdominal CT scans of 53 patients with pathologically proven Crohn's disease. CT patterns of thickened bowel wall were divided into four types based on patterns of mural stratification and enhancement: type A, multilayered mural stratification; type B, two layers with strong mucosal enhancement and prominent low-density submucosa; type C, two layers without strong mucosal enhancement; and type D, homogeneous enhancement. We evaluated CT findings of the bowel and adjacent structures. We also reviewed pathologic features and clinical data to determine inflammatory activity.

RESULTS

Fifty-five (95%) of 58 CT examinations showed bowel wall thickening. Of these 55 CT scans, type A pattern was found in 33 (60%), type B in 10 (18%), type C in five (9%), and type D in seven (13%). CT scans with type A showed significantly more wall thickening than those with either type C or type D. Histology revealed 43 cases with active disease and 12 with quiescent appearance. Thirty of 33 CT scans with type A and all 10 with type B were classified as acute disease, and three of five with type C and six of seven with type D as quiescent.

CONCLUSION

In patients with Crohn's disease, CT patterns of bowel wall thickening correlated with inflammatory activity. Thickened bowel wall with layering enhancement is predictive of acute disease, and that of homogeneous enhancement suggests quiescence.

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging assessmentof active bowel segments in Crohn's disease

AIM

Determining bowel disease activity in Crohn's patients can be difficult on clinical and laboratory assessment. Endoscopy is invasive and barium studies use ionising radiation. The aim of this study was to compare ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting Crohn's disease activity in the small or large bowel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients, previously diagnosed with Crohn's disease, had bowel ultrasound and MR imaging, and were deemed active or inactive on each test. The 'gold standard' was based on clinical assessment and one or more of the following: endoscopy, barium studies or surgery.

RESULTS

For determining Crohn's disease activity, the sensitivities and specificities of bowel ultrasound and MRI were 87 percent and 100 percent, and 87 percent and 71 percent, respectively. Significant parameters that defined disease activity were bowel wall thickening on ultrasound and MRI, and contrast enhancement of the bowel wall and mesenteric vascularity/stranding on MRI.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound and MRI were both sensitive for determining Crohn's disease activity in the bowel, but MRI with gadolinium enhancement was less specific.

Graded compression sonography of the colon in the diagnosis of polyps in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE

We report seven cases of juvenile polyps detected by graded compression gray-scale and color Doppler sonography in five children with nonspecific symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal polyps can be detected by graded compression gray-scale and color Doppler sonography without colonic preparation. On gray-scale sonography, polyps appeared as spherical or ovoid hypoechoic nodules in the colon lumen. Small cysts were identified inside the nodules. Four polyps had fewer and smaller cysts, whereas three others contained many cysts. A hyperechoic layer surrounding the polyp corresponded to the submucosa. In two patients, the polyp was visualized in the transverse colon and caused a colocolic intussusception, which reduced spontaneously during sonography. Color Doppler sonography showed four hypovascularized and three hypervascularized polyps.

Contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography of the intestinal wall in the differentiation of hypervascularized and hypovascularized intestinal obstructions in patients with Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVE

To use power Doppler sonography to quantify the vascularization in the area of stenosed bowel segments in patients with Crohn's disease and to draw conclusions from these findings with regard to the development of these stenoses.

METHODS

The study collective included 11 patients with confirmed Crohn's disease and sonographically visualized stenoses of the small bowel together with intermittent abdominal cramping as a clinical correlate. Power mode examination was repeated after application of a sonographic signal-enhancing agent. Semiquantitative evaluation based on the sonographically indicated degree of vascularization led to the presumptive diagnosis of either inflammatory or cicatricial intestinal obstruction. Sonographic diagnoses were compared with the findings of surgery and subsequent histologic examination or with patients' clinical responses to conservative therapy.

RESULTS

Nine of 11 patients underwent surgery within 1 year of examination. All 3 cases in which sonography had facilitated the diagnosis of cicatricial stenosis were confirmed at postoperative histologic examination; similarly, the surgical and histologic findings in the other 6 patients confirmed the sonographic diagnosis of inflammatory stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Power Doppler sonography in combination with the use of a signal-enhancing agent appears to be effective in the recognition of predominantly cicatricial stenoses in patients with Crohn's disease.

A new approach to evaluating intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease by transabdominal sonography and colour Doppler imaging

An objective and non-invasive method to assess the extent, severity, course and prognosis of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) of the gastrointestinal tract would be of great importance. As high-resolution ultrasonography (HRU) and colour Doppler imaging (CDI) are used in inflammatory and ischaemic bowel diseases, we introduced these techniques to evaluate acute intestinal GvHD. In this study, 12 patients with suspected intestinal and/or severe cutaneous aGvHD were investigated by HRU and CDI. The structure and thickness of the bowel wall and the blood flow pattern in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) as well as in the bowel wall were evaluated. All patients showed thickened bowel wall segments, especially in the ileocaecal region. Even in patients without any clinical signs of intestinal involvement (3/12), sonographic changes were observed. In six patients with severe diarrhoea, sonographic signs of secretory diarrhoea were observed. In 4/12 patients, an increased arterial blood flow in the bowel wall was demonstrated as a typical characteristic of an inflammatory bowel process. In contrast, in 4/12 patients, ischaemic bowel wall lesions with high-resistance flow pattern in the SMA were found. These patients did not respond to immunosuppressive therapy and died. In conclusion, HRU is a useful tool for detecting acute bowel GvHD even before clinical symptoms. Moreover, HRU and CDI can be applied to define the severity of aGvHD and to identify patients with a poor prognosis.

A Perspective on inflammatory bowel disease in the child and adolescent at the turn of the millennium

The literature of the past year has produced significant advances relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease. This review focuses on new observations regarding the epidemiology, genetics, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in children. Particular attention is paid to the expanded indications for the use of immunomodulatory therapy, and to the early published data regarding the safety and efficacy of treatment with infliximab.