Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease

Abstract

The numbers of patients with diagnosed Crohn's disease in Poland continue to be on the rise. It may be assumed that it is associated not with an increased incidence but with significant advancements in diagnostic techniques which in an increasingly better manner solve problems of abdominal pain. One of such methods is magnetic resonance enterography, which gives high hope in the diagnostics of Crohn's disease. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the results of magnetic resonance enterography (MREG) and their comparison with the results of histopathological examination o perioperative specimens. The clinical material comprised 48 patients with suspected Crohn's disease. Colonoscopy was performed in all the patients, followed by magnetic resonance enterography, which evaluated the lesion localisation, large intestine wall thickening, small intestine stenosis, mesenteric vessel proliferation, infiltration of surrounding adipose tissue, lymph node enlargement, presence of enteroenteral, enterovesical and enterocutaneous fistulas. Next, a surgical procedure was performed, with collection of specimen for histopathology. The examination results were compared with those of magnetic resonance enterography. MREG was performed in 48 individuals. Suspected Crohn's disease based on the above examination was diagnosed in 35 cases, isolated small intestine inflammation--in 5, and fibrosis in the remaining 5 patients. No significant differences were found between the lesion localisation done by MREG or perioperativelly. Crohn's disease was confirmed by histopathology in 36 cases. The sensitivity of MREG with histopathology was 91.6%, and the specificity--77.8%. Magnetic resonance enterography is a highly effective and sensitice method in the diagnostics of Crohn's disease, free of adverse effects and possible to be performed even in pregnant female patients.