Cinematographic techniques in the diagnostics of intestinal diseases using MRT enteroclysma

We investigated whether an additional cine sequence in MR enteroclysis examination is practicable and would provide additional findings in the diagnostics of patients with abdominal diseases.

Seventeen consecutively presenting patients with known or presumed abdominal disease (known or presumed intestinal illness; age range, 21-57 years; mean age, 34.1 years; male:female ratio, 4:13) were retrospectively studied. All patients underwent MRI enteroclysis at 1.5 T subsequent to conventional ileocolonoscopy, which was used as reference standard. A gastroenterologist and a radiologist evaluated the MRI examinations together to see whether the additional cine sequences would provide any additional findings.

The cine sequences provided relevant diagnostic information in at least 11 of 17 patients (60.6%). In five patients, we were able to determine a stenosis as scarred; in two patients, normal peristalsis of the bowel was demonstrated, showing that the stenosis had not been scarred.

This study provides strong evidence that the implementation of cine sequences in MRI enteroclysis examination provides additional findings with clinical relevance, especially for distinguishing scarred and functional stenoses.