[Imaging methods in inflammatory bowel disease].

Inflammatory bowel diseases are challenging in many respects. To this group of diseases we include Crohn disease, microscopic small bowel disease and ulcerative colitis. In order to establish diagnosis, monitoring the course and treatment as well as to conduct oncological surveillance there is employed a variety of imaging methods: endoscopic, radiologic and ultrasonography. Endoscopic method allows the assessment of mucosal layer as well as lesions identification and specimen biopsies that is the requirement for the ultimate diagnose establishing. Quite new methods of endoscopic methods are double-balloon enteroscopy and endoscopic capsule that allows macroscopic assessment of intestine and increase diagnostic possiblities in these diseases. Radiologic methods include contrast methods, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Despite its effectiveness classic radiologic methods are often replaced by new more advanced methods as virtual colonoscopy based on computed tomography or magnetic resonance. The following paper include possibilities and limitations of imaging methods currently used in inflammatory bowel diseases diagnosing. Proper use of such methods allows safe and accurate therapeutic proceeding.