MR imaging of the small bowel

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Traditional barium fluoroscopy has limitations in visualizing superimposed bowel loops and extraluminal findings.
• Cross-sectional imaging, including CT and MR imaging, offers improved visualization capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of the small bowel using enterography and enteroclysis techniques.
• To review the advantages, limitations, technique, and indications for MR enterography and enteroclysis.
• To summarize the results of MR imaging in evaluating various small bowel disease processes.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of MR imaging techniques for small bowel evaluation.
• Review of enterography and enteroclysis protocols.
• Analysis of imaging findings in different disease states.

Main Results:

• MR imaging provides better visualization of superimposed bowel loops than barium studies.
• Improved detection of extraluminal findings and complications with MR imaging.
• Demonstration of MR imaging's utility in diagnosing diverse small bowel diseases.

Conclusions:

• MR imaging, particularly with enterography and enteroclysis, is a valuable tool for small bowel assessment.
• MR imaging offers significant advantages over traditional barium techniques for evaluating small bowel pathology.
• This review highlights the technique, indications, and diagnostic performance of MR imaging for small bowel diseases.