Comparison of Conventional Ultrasound and Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance (MR) Enterography in Evaluation Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Introduction: The small intestine is a challenging organ for clinical and radiological evaluation, and by introducing imaging radiological techniques, not significantly disturbing the comfort and safety of patients, it attempts to obtain adequate diagnosis and valuable information. Aim: The research was conducted with the aim of checking the comparability and potential of diagnostic modality of ultrasound and dynamic contrast enhanced MR Enterography (DCE-MR) in patients with Crohn’s disease. Methods: 55 patients were examined prospectively, and ultrasound examination of the abdomen was performed for all patients before the MR enterography. They were subsequently endoscopically examined or treated surgically, which was taken as a reference. Four parameters characterizing the disease itself were analyzed: bowel wall thickening, presence of abscess, fistula and lymphadenopathy. Results: Comparing the accuracy of the results of ultrasound findings and findings of MR enterography, it was found that there is a significant difference in the results obtained. The study found that the sensitivity for MR enterography for bowel wall thickening was 97.8%, and the specificity was 70%, while the sensitivity for ultrasound for the bowel wall thickening was 51% and the specificity was 100%. In the diagnosis of abscess, there was no significant difference between the results obtained by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, while in fistula and lymphadenopathy there was a significant difference. Conclusion: Conventional ultrasound is a good orientation method in the initial evaluation of patients with Crohn’s disease, while contrast enhanced MR enterography provides an excellent assessment for disease activity as well as the complications that accompany it.