BACKGROUND: The course of Crohn's disease is characterised by the occurrence of intestinal complications such as strictures, intra-abdominal fistulas, or abscesses. Standard diagnostic procedures may fail to show these complications, in particular fistulas. AIMS: To test the value of transabdominal bowel sonography (T) for the detection of intestinal complications in Crohn's disease. METHODS: T was prospectively performed in 213 patients with Crohn's disease in a university based inflammatory bowel disease referral centre. Thirty three underwent resective bowel surgery and were included in this study. The accuracy of T to detect strictures, intra-abdominal fistulas, or abscesses was compared with surgical and pathological findings. RESULTS: T was able to identify strictures in 22/22 patients and to exclude it in 10/11 patients (100% sensitivity, 91% specificity). Fistulas were correctly identified in 20/23 patients and excluded in 9/10 patients (87% sensitivity, 90% specificity). Intra-abdominal abscesses were correctly detected in 9/9 patients and excluded in 22/24 patients (100% sensitivity, 92% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands T is an accurate method for the detection of intestinal complications in Crohn's disease. T is thus recommended as a primary investigative method for evaluation of severe Crohn's disease.
BACKGROUND: The course of Crohn's disease is characterised by the occurrence of intestinal complications such as strictures, intra-abdominal fistulas, or abscesses. Standard diagnostic procedures may fail to show these complications, in particular fistulas. AIMS: To test the value of transabdominal bowel sonography (T) for the detection of intestinal complications in Crohn's disease. METHODS: T was prospectively performed in 213 patients with Crohn's disease in a university based inflammatory bowel disease referral centre. Thirty three underwent resective bowel surgery and were included in this study. The accuracy of T to detect strictures, intra-abdominal fistulas, or abscesses was compared with surgical and pathological findings. RESULTS: T was able to identify strictures in 22/22 patients and to exclude it in 10/11 patients (100% sensitivity, 91% specificity). Fistulas were correctly identified in 20/23 patients and excluded in 9/10 patients (87% sensitivity, 90% specificity). Intra-abdominal abscesses were correctly detected in 9/9 patients and excluded in 22/24 patients (100% sensitivity, 92% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands T is an accurate method for the detection of intestinal complications in Crohn's disease. T is thus recommended as a primary investigative method for evaluation of severe Crohn's disease.
Authors: J Hata; K Haruma; K Suenaga; M Yoshihara; G Yamamoto; S Tanaka; T Shimamoto; K Sumii; G Kajiyama Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 1992-04 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: R Malagò; M D'Onofrio; W Mantovani; G D'Alpaos; G Foti; A Pezzato; G Caliari; D Cusumano; L Benini; R Pozzi Mucelli Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2012-01-21 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: E F Stange; S P L Travis; S Vermeire; C Beglinger; L Kupcinkas; K Geboes; A Barakauskiene; V Villanacci; A Von Herbay; B F Warren; C Gasche; H Tilg; Stefan W Schreiber; J Schölmerich; W Reinisch Journal: Gut Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 23.059