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Sakai NS, Bray TJP, Taylor SA. Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (qMRI) of the Small Bowel in Crohn's Disease: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024. [PMID: 38970359 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract in which repeated episodes of acute inflammation may lead to long-term bowel damage. Cross-sectional imaging is used in conjunction with endoscopy to diagnose and monitor disease and detect complications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has demonstrable utility in evaluating inflammatory activity. However, subjective interpretation of conventional MR sequences is limited in its ability to fully phenotype the underlying histopathological processes in chronic disease. In particular, conventional MRI can be confounded by the presence of mural fibrosis and muscle hypertrophy, which can mask or sometimes mimic inflammation. Quantitative MRI (qMRI) methods provide a means to better differentiate mural inflammation from fibrosis and improve quantification of these processes. qMRI may also provide more objective measures of disease activity and enable better tailoring of treatment. Here, we review quantitative MRI methods for imaging the small bowel in CD and consider the path to their clinical translation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S Sakai
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy J P Bray
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stuart A Taylor
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
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2
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Lenti MV, Santacroce G, Broglio G, Rossi CM, Di Sabatino A. Recent advances in intestinal fibrosis. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 96:101251. [PMID: 38359700 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Despite many progresses have been made in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, especially due to the increasing number of effective therapies, the development of tissue fibrosis is a very common occurrence along the natural history of this condition. To a certain extent, fibrogenesis is a physiological and necessary process in all those conditions characterised by chronic inflammation. However, the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix within the bowel wall will end up in the formation of strictures, with the consequent need for surgery. A number of mechanisms have been described in this process, but some of them are not yet clear. For sure, the main trigger is the presence of a persistent inflammatory status within the mucosa, which in turn favours the occurrence of a pro-fibrogenic environment. Among the main key players, myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, immune cells, growth factors and cytokines must be mentioned. Although there are no available therapies able to target fibrosis, the only way to prevent it is by controlling inflammation. In this review, we summarize the state of art of the mechanisms involved in gut fibrogenesis, how to diagnose it, and which potential targets could be druggable to tackle fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vincenzo Lenti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Santacroce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Broglio
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
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Hameed M, Taylor SA. Small bowel imaging in inflammatory bowel disease: updates for 2023. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:1117-1134. [PMID: 37902040 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2274926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cross-sectional imaging techniques including MR and CT enterography and ultrasound are integral to Crohn's disease management, accurate, responsive, and well tolerated. They assess the full thickness of the bowel wall, perienteric environment, and distant complications. As we strive toward tighter disease control, imaging's role will expand further with transmural healing becoming an increasingly important therapeutic target. AREAS COVERED MEDLINE and Web of Science were searched from 2012 to 2023 inclusive. We review the evidence for cross-sectional imaging in assessing disease activity, phenotyping, and therapeutic response assessment. Emerging novel imaging applications such as quantifying enteric motility and fibrosis, prognostication, and potential utility of artificial intelligence will be covered. Recent international consensus statements highlight the need for standardized imaging reporting and definitions of transmural healing and remission. We will discuss how recent advances may be best integrated into patient care and highlight key outstanding research questions. EXPERT OPINION Cross-sectional imaging is established in Crohn's disease management. Research emphasis should be placed on optimal integration of imaging modalities in clinical care pathways, workforce training, definitions, and evidence for use of imaging based therapeutic targets such as transmural healing, better phenotyping of stricturing disease, and developing novel techniques, including integration of artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira Hameed
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, United Kingdom
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart A Taylor
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, United Kingdom
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College Hospital, United Kingdom
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Zulqarnain F, Rhoads SF, Syed S. Machine and deep learning in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2023; 39:294-300. [PMID: 37144491 PMCID: PMC10256313 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The Management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has evolved with the introduction and widespread adoption of biologic agents; however, the advent of artificial intelligence technologies like machine learning and deep learning presents another watershed moment in IBD treatment. Interest in these methods in IBD research has increased over the past 10 years, and they offer a promising path to better clinical outcomes for IBD patients. RECENT FINDINGS Developing new tools to evaluate IBD and inform clinical management is challenging because of the expansive volume of data and requisite manual interpretation of data. Recently, machine and deep learning models have been used to streamline diagnosis and evaluation of IBD by automating review of data from several diagnostic modalities with high accuracy. These methods decrease the amount of time that clinicians spend manually reviewing data to formulate an assessment. SUMMARY Interest in machine and deep learning is increasing in medicine, and these methods are poised to revolutionize the way that we treat IBD. Here, we highlight the recent advances in using these technologies to evaluate IBD and discuss the ways that they can be leveraged to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Zulqarnain
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Tavares de Sousa H, Magro F. How to Evaluate Fibrosis in IBD? Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2188. [PMID: 37443582 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13132188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we will describe the importance of fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by discussing its distinct impact on Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) through their translation to histopathology. We will address the existing knowledge on the correlation between inflammation and fibrosis and the still not fully explained inflammation-independent fibrogenesis. Finally, we will compile and discuss the recent advances in the noninvasive assessment of intestinal fibrosis, including imaging and biomarkers. Based on the available data, none of the available cross-sectional imaging (CSI) techniques has proved to be capable of measuring CD fibrosis accurately, with MRE showing the most promising performance along with elastography. Very recent research with radiomics showed encouraging results, but further validation with reliable radiomic biomarkers is warranted. Despite the interesting results with micro-RNAs, further advances on the topic of fibrosis biomarkers depend on the development of robust clinical trials based on solid and validated endpoints. We conclude that it seems very likely that radiomics and AI will participate in the future non-invasive fibrosis assessment by CSI techniques in IBD. However, as of today, surgical pathology remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and quantification of intestinal fibrosis in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Tavares de Sousa
- Gastroenterology Department, Algarve University Hospital Center, 8500-338 Portimão, Portugal
- ABC-Algarve Biomedical Center, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Fernando Magro
- Unit of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Gastroenterology, São João University Hospital Center, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Rimola J, Torres J, Kumar S, Taylor SA, Kucharzik T. Recent advances in clinical practice: advances in cross-sectional imaging in inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 2022; 71:2587-2597. [PMID: 35927032 PMCID: PMC9664122 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Endoscopy remains the reference standard for the diagnosis and assessment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but it has several important limitations. Cross-sectional imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and intestinal ultrasound (IUS) are better tolerated and safer. Moreover, they can examine the entire bowel, even in patients with stenoses and/or severe inflammation. A variety of cross-sectional imaging activity scores strongly correlate with endoscopic measures of mucosal inflammation in the colon and terminal ileum. Unlike endoscopy, cross-sectional techniques allow complete visualisation of the small-bowel and assess for extraintestinal disease, which occurs in nearly half of patients with IBD. Extramural findings may predict outcomes better than endoscopic mucosal assessment, so cross-sectional techniques might help identify more relevant therapeutic targets. Coupled with their high sensitivity, these advantages have made MRE and IUS the primary non-invasive options for diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease; they are appropriate first-line investigations, and have become viable alternatives to colonoscopy. This review discusses cross-sectional imaging in IBD in current clinical practice as well as research lines that will define the future role of these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Rimola
- IBD Unit, Radiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain .,IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Torres
- Gastroenterology Division, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal,Gastroenterology Division, Hospital da Luz, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Shankar Kumar
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stuart A Taylor
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Torsten Kucharzik
- Department of Gastroenterology, Stadtisches Klinikum Luneburg gGmbH, Luneburg, Germany
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Caron B, Laurent V, Odille F, Danese S, Hossu G, Peyrin-Biroulet L. New magnetic resonance imaging sequences for fibrosis assessment in Crohn's disease: a pilot study. Scand J Gastroenterol 2022; 57:1450-1453. [PMID: 36173349 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2022.2094727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Patients with Crohn's disease can develop intestinal strictures, containing various degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. Differentiation of the main component of a structuring lesion is the key for defining the therapeutic management. We evaluated new magnetic resonance imaging sequences (IVIM (Intravoxel Incoherent Motion imaging) and T1 mapping) for assessing fibrosis in Crohn's disease. METHODS This was a prospective, single-center study of adult patients with Crohn's disease and magnetic resonance imaging examination, including IVIM and T1 mapping sequences, between March 2021 and April 2021. The association between the perfusion fraction (IVIM), reduction of relaxation time between pre- and postcontrast enhancement (T1 mapping), and the degree of fibrosis assessed by a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 was evaluated. RESULTS A total of 33 patients were included. The perfusion fraction was significantly correlated with fibrosis, with lower perfusion fraction in severe fibrosis (p = .002). T1 mapping sequence was also correlated with the degree of fibrosis, reduction of relaxation time was higher in patients with severe fibrosis than in patients with mild fibrosis (p = .05). CONCLUSION In Crohn's disease, these new tools could improve the performance of magnetic resonance imaging for transmural fibrosis quantification, and may be useful for improving care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédicte Caron
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France; NGERE, U1256 INSERM, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Valérie Laurent
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,IADI, U12454, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Freddy Odille
- IADI, U12454, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France.,CIC 1433 Innovation Technologique, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Silvio Danese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,IBD Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriela Hossu
- IADI, U12454, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France.,CIC 1433 Innovation Technologique, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, CHRU Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France; NGERE, U1256 INSERM, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
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Intestinal Elastography in the Diagnostics of Ulcerative Colitis: A Narrative Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092070. [PMID: 36140472 PMCID: PMC9497506 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that mainly affects developed countries, but the number of cases in developing countries is increasing. We conducted a narrative review on the potential application of ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis and monitoring of UC, as this newly emerging method has promising results in other gut diseases. This review fulfilled the PRISMA Statement criteria with a time cut-off of June 2022. At the end of the review, of the 1334 identified studies, only five fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. Due to the small number of studies in this field, a reliable assessment of the usefulness of ultrasound elastography is difficult. We can only conclude that the transabdominal elastography examination did not significantly differ from the standard gastrointestinal ultrasonography examination and that measurements of the frontal intestinal wall should be made in the longitudinal section. The reports suggest that it is impossible to estimate the clinical scales used in disease assessment solely on the basis of elastographic measurements. Due to the different inclusion criteria, measurement methodologies, and elastographic techniques used in the analysed studies, a reliable comparative evaluation was impossible. Further work is required to assess the validity of expanding gastrointestinal ultrasonography with elastography in the diagnosis and monitoring of UC.
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Lin X, Wang Y, Liu Z, Lin S, Tan J, He J, Hu F, Wu X, Ghosh S, Chen M, Liu F, Mao R. Intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease: a 2021 update. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2022; 15:17562848221104951. [PMID: 35757383 PMCID: PMC9218441 DOI: 10.1177/17562848221104951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal strictures remain one of the most intractable and common complications of Crohn's disease (CD). Approximately 70% of CD patients will develop fibrotic strictures after 10 years of CD diagnosis. Since specific antifibrotic therapies are unavailable, endoscopic balloon dilation and surgery remain the mainstay treatments despite a high recurrence rate. Besides, there are no reliable methods for accurately evaluating intestinal fibrosis. This is largely due to the fact that the mechanisms of initiation and propagation of intestinal fibrosis are poorly understood. There is growing evidence implying that the pathogenesis of stricturing CD involves the intricate interplay of factors including aberrant immune and nonimmune responses, host-microbiome dysbiosis, and genetic susceptibility. Currently, the progress on intestinal strictures has been fueled by the advent of novel techniques, such as single-cell sequencing, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence. Here, we perform a timely and comprehensive review of the substantial advances in intestinal strictures in 2021, aiming to provide prompt information regarding fibrosis and set the stage for the improvement of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of intestinal strictures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zishan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sinan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinyu Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinshen He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Subrata Ghosh
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China
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