Double-contrast magnetic resonance examination of ulcerative colitis

The aim of our work was to propose a double-contrast magnetic resonance examination (DCMRE) in the follow-up of ulcerative colitis (UC), comparing this new technique with X-ray double-contrast barium enema (DCBE). After preparation with colon-cleansing regimen used for DCBE, six UC patients and six control subjects underwent a 1.5-T examination: supine position, coronal and axial fat-spectral-saturation breath-hold gradient-echo T1-weighted sequences after intravenous hypotonization and 1500-2000 cc air insufflation. Without evacuating the primarily insufflated air, the same images were acquired after endorectal administration of negative superparamagnetic contrast agent (600 cc) and intravenous administration of positive paramagnetic contrast agent (0.2 mmol/kg). All patients had undergone DCBE in the four preceding weeks. We found significant increase in wall thickness of UC affected vs apparently unaffected segments (p = 0.0425) and vs CG (p = 0.0447), significant increase in enhancement percent of UC affected vs apparently unaffected segments (p = 0.0161) and vs CG (p = 0.0185), and no significant difference for enhancement percent of UC unaffected segments vs CG. DCMRE and DCBE localized the UC extension at the same sites in all patients. Double-contrast MR examination time was 20-30 min. This new method could be used in follow-up of UC patients.