Comparison of the value of abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography enterography in the diagnosis of Crohn′s disease

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of trans-abdominal ultrasound in the lesion location and complication of Crohn′s disease (CD) by comparison with computed tomography enterography (CTE). Methods From May 2015 to September 2016, patients diagnosed with CD were enrolled. All the patients underwent complete trans-abdominal ultrasound and enhanced CTE examinations. The imaging characteristics were compared. Chi-square test was performed for statistical analysis. Results Among 73 CD patients, there was one case with negative ultrasound and CTE. A total of 139 lesions were found in 73 patients, of which 14 cases were recurrence of anastomotic stoma, 17 cases were ileal type, nine cases were colonic type and 32 cases were ileum and colon type. The overall sensitivity of ultrasound and CTE in the diagnosis of intestinal lesions were 98.0% and 100.0%, respectively; the overall sensitivity in the diagnosis of colonic lesions in CD were 97.6% and 100.0%, respectively. The sensitivity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of ileal type, colonic type and ileal+ colonic type of CD were 100.0%, 100.0% and 93.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of CTE in the diagnosis of ileal type, colonic type and ileal+ colonic type of CD were all 100.0%. The sensitivity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of jejunum, ileal, ascending colonic, transverse colonic, descending colonic and sigmoid colonic lesions were 100.0%, 98.0%, 100.0%, 90.9%, 88.2% and 72.7%, respectively. The sensitivity of ultrasound and CTE in detecting fistula were 95.7% and 93.6%, respectively. The sensitivity in detecting abscess were 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively. The differences were not significant (both P>0.05). A total of 18 stenosis lesions were detected by ultrasound, and the number and location was the same as detected by CTE. The sensitivity was 100.0%. Conclusions Ultrasound can clearly indicate the location and extent of lesions as well as extra-intestinal complications. Utrasound have a high consistency with CTE in the diagnosis of CD. Furthermore, it is helpful in clinical application. Key words: Crohn disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Bowel ultrasound; Computed tomography