[Crohn's disease: evaluation with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging]

Computed Tomography should increasingly be used as a minimally invasive alternative to small bowel enteroclysis. Firstly, CT-examination is less stressful to the patients. Secondly, information is not only provided about the bowel lumen but in addition the thickness and architecture of the small bowel wall as well as the adjacent structures can be evaluated. Extraintestinal lesions/complications are easily diagnosed. Moreover, CT can be used as primary screening method in the evaluation of abdominal complaints of unknown origin. Next to Crohn's disease, numerous other small bowel diseases can be excluded. Magnetic resonance imaging will become another alternative imaging technique in future. Major advantages are the lack of ionizing radiation, the multiplanar scanning technique and the possibility of extensive postprocessing by virtual endoscopy.