[Imaging in chronic inflammatory bowel disease]

In patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endoscopic techniques (including capsule techniques and balloon enteroscopy for the small intestine), ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are primarily used as often complementary imaging techniques. Radiation exposure needs to be kept in mind when using CT and conventional X‑ray-techniques. Therefore, most importantly, ultrasound and MRI have changed the routine diagnostics of intestinal diseases. US, CT and MRI not only assess the lumen but, similarly importantly, also the wall and the surrounding structures of the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, functional processes can be visualized and provide important information about passage and perfusion, which is mainly true for real-time ultrasound. CT and MRI are usually carried out with the use of contrast agents as contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI). Ultrasound is performed conventionally or with intravascular (CEUS) and/or extravascular intracavitary contrast agent application (icCEUS). This article provides an overview of the current significance of the mentioned imaging procedures in patients with IBD and discusses the typical indications.