[Sonographic findings in Crohn's disease]

In 59 subjects (25 men and 34 women) with confirmed Crohn's disease 91 sonographic examinations were made, using dynamic records by means of a sector probe with a frequency of 3.5 and 5 MHz. The disease had persisted on average for 7.1 years. A positive sonographic finding was recorded in 68% of the examined subjects, incl. 42% where the finding on palpation of the abdominal cavity was negative. During examination the following typical findings were recorded: the symptom of a tubular structure with a thickened intestinal wall (frequency 77.5%), cockade symptom (65%), convolution of the loops (62.5%), congestion in the intestinal loops (10%) and abscess in the abdominal cavity (7.5%). Ultrasonography is a significant diagnostic method which can help in the differential diagnosis of resistance on palpation and in the follow up of the disease and the effect of therapy in patients with Crohn's disease.