Value of CT enterography in the assessment of postoperative recurrence and reoperation of Crohn′s disease

Abstract

Objective To explore the value of CT enterography (CTE) in the assessment of postoperative recurrence and reoperation of Crohn′s disease (CD) . Methods Clinical data and postoperative CTE images 72 CD patients undergoing surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into non-recurrence group (NR group, n= 6) , recurrence-medication group (RM group, n= 45) and repeated surgery group (RS group, n= 21) according to the clinical outcome during follow up period. The disease activity was evaluated by using a semi-quantitative CTE scoring system ranging from 0 to 3. Differences of CTE scores were compared among NR, RM and RS groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used to examine the cumulative postoperative recurrence and reoperation rate in CD patients. Results Among 72 patients, 6 patients were categorized as NR group with all CTE scores of 0; 45 were as RM group with median CTE score of 3 (0-3) ; 21 were as RS group with median CTE score of 3 (2-3) . There were significant differences in CTE scores among NR, RM and RS group (P<0.001) . The patients with CTE score of 3 showed significantly higher percentage of reoperation than the patients with CTE score of 2 (P<0.001) . Conclusion CTE can evaluate the postoperative recurrence and provide more informations for the precise personalized therapies in the treatment of CD patients. Key words: Crohn′s disease; CT enterography; Postoperative recurrence