MR enterography grading of pediatric ileocolonic Crohn disease activity based on a single bowel segment

Ileocolonoscopy with histology has been considered the gold standard for Crohn disease (CD) diagnosis and monitoring. Over the last years, magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has become more and more popular, representing a valid non-invasive technique.

To propose a simplified MRE score, the pediatric CD magnetic resonance index (PCDMRI), based only on the most affected bowel segment, to grade active inflammation in children with CD.

Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated MRE images of children with histopathology-proven CD. The PCDMRI was based on six mural and perimural variables assessed for the most affected bowel segment (chosen by visual inspection of the key bowel wall imaging findings associated with active inflammation), and five extramural per-examination features. Correlation analysis was performed between both the PCDMRI and the MRE global score (based on all the affected segments) and the pediatric clinical disease activity index (PCDAI), the simple endoscopic score for CD (SES-CD), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (fC). Inter-reader reproducibility of the scoring system was estimated. Agreement on disease location between MRE and ileocolonoscopy was evaluated.

The study involved 42 children for a total of 80 MRE. PCDMRI and global score positively correlated with PCDAI, SES-CD, CRP and fC. Inter-reader reproducibility was 91%. Agreement on disease location was substantial.

The PCDMRI and the global score resulted equally correlated with the PCDAI, suggesting a high impact of the most affected segment on symptoms. The PDCMRI may be a useful non-invasive tool for a rapid and reproducible grading of the disease activity in children with ileocolonic CD.