Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
05:10
Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2025
457
Submucosal bowel wall layer thickness predicts endoscopic activity in Crohn's disease
Kim Nylund1,2, Ole Kristian Horpestad3, Fredrik Sævik4
1Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Norway, Bergen.
Ultraschall in Der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany : 1980)
|January 15, 2026
Summary
Gastrointestinal ultrasound accurately predicts Crohn's disease (CD) activity by measuring bowel wall layers. Submucosal thickness on ultrasound shows high accuracy in assessing endoscopic disease activity in CD patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) management relies on assessing disease activity.
- Gastrointestinal ultrasound is a non-invasive tool for CD monitoring.
- Predicting endoscopic activity non-invasively is crucial for timely treatment adjustments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if gastrointestinal ultrasound wall layer measurements can predict endoscopic activity in Crohn's disease.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of individual bowel wall layers versus total bowel wall thickness in assessing CD activity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 64 Crohn's disease patients undergoing gastrointestinal ultrasound and endoscopy within two weeks.
- Measurement of absolute and relative thicknesses of mucosa, submucosa, and proper muscle layers.
- Comparison of ultrasound findings with the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) to define endoscopic activity.
Main Results:
- Increased absolute thickness of mucosa, submucosa, and proper muscle layers was observed in patients with endoscopic activity (SES-CD >2).
- A submucosal thickness cutoff of 1.8 mm demonstrated 90% sensitivity, 78.3% specificity, and 84.9% accuracy for predicting disease activity.
- Total bowel wall thickness of 3 mm showed higher sensitivity (97.3%) but lower specificity (52.0%) compared to submucosal thickness.
Conclusions:
- All bowel wall layers are thickened in patients with active Crohn's disease.
- Submucosal thickness measured by gastrointestinal ultrasound is a reliable indicator of endoscopic disease activity in CD, comparable to overall bowel wall thickness.
More Related Videos
09:11Systematic Scoring Analysis for Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis Model
Published on: February 14, 2021
10.5K
07:38Multimodal Quantitative Phase Imaging with Digital Holographic Microscopy Accurately Assesses Intestinal Inflammation and Epithelial Wound Healing
Published on: September 13, 2016
8.7K
Related Concept Videos
01:20Histology of the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
3.3K
The GI tract, from beginning to end, is made up of four continuous tissue layers that adjust their structure according to their specific roles. These layers, from innermost to outermost, are known as the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa, which are continuous with the mesentery.
The mucosa is sometimes called a mucous membrane due to its mucus-secreting features. This membrane is composed of epithelium, which directly interacts with ingested substances, and the lamina propria, a layer...
The mucosa is sometimes called a mucous membrane due to its mucus-secreting features. This membrane is composed of epithelium, which directly interacts with ingested substances, and the lamina propria, a layer...
3.3K
01:26Histology of the Large Intestine
2.9K
The large intestine, a vital component of the gastrointestinal tract, is structured with four main layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. Each layer performs a distinct role in facilitating the smooth functioning of the large intestine.
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...
2.9K
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
960
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
960
01:27Histology of the Small Intestine
3.5K
The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
3.5K
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
747
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
747
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
903
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
903