Fluoroscopic and CT Enteroclysis

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Crohn Disease

Three common clinical scenarios involving use of imaging in Crohn disease are covered. These include the initial evaluation of Crohn disease when the diagnosis has not been previously established, the evaluation for anticipated exacerbation of known disease, and the evaluation of disease activity during therapy monitoring. The appropriateness of a given imaging modality for each scenario is rated as one of three categories (usually appropriate, may be appropriate, usually not appropriate) to help guide evaluation. Pediatric presentation of Crohn disease and the appropriateness of imaging are not covered in this document. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

CT enterography: technical and interpretive pitfalls

CT enterography is a first-line test at many institutions to investigate potential small bowel disorders. While numerous articles have focused on the ability of CT enterography to diagnose and stage Crohn's disease, small bowel neoplasia, and malabsorptive or vascular disorders, this article reviews CT enterography limitations, technical and interpretive pitfalls, image review tactics, and complementary radiologic and endoscopic examinations to improve diagnostic accuracy. CT enterography limitations include its inability to demonstrate isolated mucosal abnormalities such as aphthous ulcers and its use of ionizing radiation. The most common technical pitfall of CT enterography is inadequate small bowel distention resulting from inadequate ingestion, gastric retention, or rapid small bowel transit of a large volume of neutral enteric contrast material. Additionally, segments of jejunum are frequently collapsed. Interpretive pitfalls commonly result from peristaltic contractions, transient intussusception and opaque intraluminal debris. Opaque debris is especially problematic during multiphasic CT enterography performed to identify potential small bowel sources of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. False-negative examinations may result from inadequate radiation dose. Examinations complementary to CT enterography include small bowel follow through, enteroclysis, CT enteroclysis, MR enterography, MR enteroclysis, capsule endoscopy, and balloon-assisted endoscopy. Properly performed and accurately interpreted CT enterography contributes to the diagnosis and management of small bowel disease by itself and as a complement to other radiologic and optical small bowel imaging examinations.

Crohn's disease recurrence in patients with ileocolic anastomosis: value of computed tomography enterography with water enema

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the present work was to determine the diagnostic value of CT-enterography with water enema (CTe-WE) in the assessment of the ileocolic anastomosis in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The prevalence of synchronous inflammatory lesions (SILs) involving gastrointestinal segments distinct from the anastomosis was also determined. Further, the association between the type of ileocolic anastomosis and the behavior (i.e. inflammatory, stricturing, penetrating) of CD recurrence was evaluated.

METHODS

51 patients were retrospectively included (26 [51%] male and 25 [49%] female; mean age: 52.88 years ± 13.35). Ileocolic anastomoses were: 18 (35.3%) stapled side-to-side, 17 (33.3%) end-to-side, and 16 (31.4%) end-to-end. CTe-WEs were reviewed in consensus by two gastrointestinal radiologists. Endoscopy and medical records were used as reference standards.

RESULTS

CTe-WE yielded 95.35% sensitivity (CI 95%: 84.19-99.43%), 75.00% specificity (CI 95%: 34.91-96.81%), and 92.15% diagnostic accuracy (CI 95%: 81.31-98.02%). Anastomotic recurrence was found in 41/51 (80.4%) patients, including 30/41 (73.2%) cases of isolated anastomotic recurrence, and 11/41 (26.8%) cases of anastomotic recurrence with a SIL. A significant lower prevalence of stricturing recurrence was observed in patients with stapled side-to-side anastomoses (p=0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

CTe-WE provides a good distension of both sides of ileocolic anastomoses allowing the detection of SILs.