REVIEW  INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: BEYOND THE EDGE 

Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2019 December;65(4):319-34

DOI: 10.23736/S1121-421X.19.02639-4

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Magnetic resonance enterography

Marco GATTI ✉, Luca ALLOIS, Andrea CARISIO, Chiara DIANZANI, Maria GARCIA MARTINEZ, Irene RUGGIRELLO, Sara VARELLO, Fatemeh DARVIZEH, Riccardo FALETTI

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Crohn’s disease is a condition of chronic inflammation that may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, although it more frequently affects the terminal ileum. Longstanding inflammation may lead to several bowel complications including obstruction, stricture, fistula and abscesses which often necessitate surgery. Cross-sectional imaging methods such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are being utilized more frequently to assess mural and extramural inflammatory bowel disease manifestations. Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) for assessment of small bowel is optimal because of absence of ionizing radiation, better soft tissue contrast, development of motion-free sequences and high resolution images. A typical protocol includes pre and postcontrast sequences utilizing an enteric contrast agent for adequate bowel distention and an antiperistaltic agent. Overall, MRE allows the evaluation of disease activity, extraenteric complication and response to therapy with a great impact on patient management. In this review we discuss the features of MRE from patient’s preparation and exam protocol to pathological findings.

KEY WORDS: Magnetic resonance imaging; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Crohn disease; Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging; Gastrointestinal tract