Sonographic assessment of the normal and abnormal bowel wall in nondiverticular ileitis and colitis

To assess the value of high resolution sonography (HRS) in identifying normal and inflammatory bowel wall in nondiverticular ileitis and colitis by using a segment-by-segment analysis.

Thirty-five HRS were performed in patients with nondiverticular inflammatory bowel disease, without knowledge of clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic data. HRS evaluated separately five intestinal segments (terminal ileum, cecum/ascending colon, transverse, descending colon, and sigmoid colon) and was considered positive for inflammation when wall thickness during compression exceeded 3 mm. We compared HRS findings with results of endoscopy or enteroclysis performed within 8 days of HRS; endoscopic and radiologic results were classified into two subgroups: mild inflammatory lesions and frank inflammatory lesions.

Segment-by-segment analysis resulted in an accuracy of 81%, a sensitivity of 70%, and a specificity of 93%. Sensitivity was significantly lower for mild lesions (52%) than for frank lesions (87%, p < .001). Of the 32 patients having an inflammatory bowel condition, 29 (91%) had at least one segment correctly identified as inflammatory by HRS.

Even if relatively insensitive for minor lesions, HRS is a promising, minimally invasive method for assessing normal and inflammatory bowel wall in nondiverticular ileitis and colitis.