Activity of Crohn's disease assessed by measurement of superior mesenteric artery flow with Doppler ultrasound

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the value of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) Doppler flow measurements as a marker for disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.Materials and Methods: Duplex Doppler sonographic measurements of SMA bloodflow volume were obtained in 90 patients with suspected or known Crohn's disease in three separate studies. The first study was a pilot study to ascertain the value of Doppler measurements in patients with proven active or inactive disease and to check our performance. In two following studies prospectively a correlation was sought between the independent assessment of Doppler flow measurements and our standard of reference based on clinical history, physical examination, laboratory values, endoscopy, surgery and/or follow-up and prospectively a correlation was sought between Doppler studies and the results of enteroclysis.Results: In all but two patients (study II) adequate measurements of SMA flow were obtained. In the active patient groups the Doppler SMA flow was significantly increased (P<0.05) compared to the inactive patient groups and the control groups.Conclusion: These studies show that SMA Doppler flow measurements can be used as a parameter to assess disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.