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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation
Published on: December 15, 2017
MR Enterography in Crohn's disease complicated with enteroenteric fistula
Ayşe Erden1, Sena Ünal2, Habip Eser Akkaya1
1Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Objective:
In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate MR enterography (MRE) findings, MR index of activity (MaRIA) and laboratory markers in Crohn patients with enteroenteric fistula.
Methods:
Institution's electronic medical records (laboratory, pathology, ileocolonoscopy results and discharge summary) were reviewed and MR images retrieved from the PACS were reanalyzed in Crohn patients assessed at Gastroenterology Clinic of our university between July 2011 and July 2016. MR enterography and clinic parameters of 38 Crohn patients with enteroenteric fistula and 48 Crohn patients without enteroenteric fistula were compared.
Results:
Of the findings, perienteric inflammation was seen only in fistula group. The mean wall thickness was significantly greater; perienteric fluid, mural hyperenhancement, cecal contraction, thickening of ileocecal valve, and colonic involvement were significantly more common in fistula patients. There was no significant difference between groups with regards to MaRIA index and perianal disease. In patients with enteroenteric fistula, there was significant association between the presence of hypoalbuminemia and presence of ileitis at ileocolonoscopy. In the overall study population, there was a positive correlation between the MaRIA and CRP values at the time of the MRE.
Conclusions:
Perienteric mesenteric inflammation and fluid collection are common in enteroenteric fistulization. MaRIA indices and laboratory findings of patients with enteroenteric fistula are not significantly different from those without fistulas.
Insights
MR enterography (MRE) shows perienteric inflammation and fluid in Crohn's disease enteroenteric fistulas. However, the MaRIA index and lab markers did not differ significantly between patients with and without fistulas.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition.
- Enteroenteric fistulas are a common complication of CD.
- Accurate diagnosis and assessment of fistulas are crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) findings in Crohn's patients with enteroenteric fistulas.
- To assess the utility of the MaRIA index and laboratory markers in identifying fistulas.
- To compare MRE and clinical parameters between patients with and without enteroenteric fistulas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records and MRE images from July 2011 to July 2016.
- Comparison of MRE findings and clinical parameters in 38 Crohn's patients with enteroenteric fistulas and 48 without.
- Analysis of laboratory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin.
Main Results:
- Perienteric inflammation and fluid collection were significantly more common in the fistula group.
- Increased wall thickness, mural hyperenhancement, and colonic involvement were also more frequent in patients with fistulas.
- No significant difference in MaRIA index or perianal disease was observed between groups. Hypoalbuminemia correlated with ileitis.
Conclusions:
- Perienteric mesenteric inflammation and fluid are key MRE indicators of enteroenteric fistulas in Crohn's disease.
- The MaRIA index and routine laboratory markers may not reliably differentiate patients with or without enteroenteric fistulas.
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