CT and Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

In the past conventional imaging of the small intestine relied on barium follow through and enteroclysis examinations. In recent years cross-sectional imaging modalities have become the radiological modalities of choice for imaging patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Cross-sectional modalities particularly CT or MR imaging are ideally suited to assess the macroscopic features, luminal and extramural abnormalities of the small intestine. As a result CT and MR imaging–particularly when coupled with the enteroclysis or enterographic techniques – have become the preferred choice for diagnostic imaging of the small intestine. CT enterography (CTE) and MR Enterography (MRE) play a significant role in the diagnostic imaging and follow-up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An advantage of MR imaging over CT is the absence of ionizing radiation, which makes it ideally suited for imaging patients with IBD as the indolent nature of the disease leads to frequent imaging examinations.