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Published on: December 15, 2017
Evolving role of MRI in Crohn's disease
Joseph H Yacoub1, Piotr Obara, Aytekin Oto
1Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Abstract:
MR enterography is playing an evolving role in the evaluation of small bowel Crohn's disease (CD). Standard MR enterography includes a combination of rapidly acquired T2 sequence, balanced steady-state acquisition, and contrast enhanced T1-weighted gradient echo sequence. The diagnostic performance of these sequences has been shown to be comparable, and in some respects superior, to other small bowel imaging modalities. The findings of CD on MR enterography have been well described in the literature. New and emerging techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), cinematography, and magnetization transfer, may lead to improved accuracy in characterizing the disease. These advanced techniques can provide quantitative parameters that may prove to be useful in assessing disease activity, severity, and response to treatment. In the future, MR enterography may play an increasing role in management decisions for patients with small bowel CD; however, larger studies are needed to validate these emerging MRI parameters as imaging biomarkers.
Insights
MR enterography is a valuable tool for evaluating small bowel Crohn's disease (CD). Advanced MRI techniques show promise for improving disease assessment and treatment response evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- MR enterography is increasingly utilized for small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) assessment.
- Standard MR enterography employs T2, balanced steady-state, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving role of MR enterography in evaluating small bowel Crohn's disease.
- To explore the potential of advanced MRI techniques in characterizing CD.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on MR enterography for small bowel CD.
- Discussion of standard and emerging MRI sequences and techniques.
Main Results:
- Standard MR enterography demonstrates diagnostic performance comparable or superior to other modalities.
- Emerging techniques like DWI, DCE-MRI, cinematography, and magnetization transfer may enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Advanced MR enterography techniques offer quantitative parameters for assessing disease activity, severity, and treatment response.
- Further research is needed to validate these emerging MRI parameters as biomarkers for small bowel CD management.
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