Small bowel magnetic resonance imaging for inflammatory bowel disease

The presented concept of hydro-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 2.5% mannitol solution as an orally applicable intraluminal contrast agent is a meaningful, reproducible, and reliable imaging method for the depiction of the small bowel. Especially in patients with Crohn's disease, hydro-MRI is the imaging method of first choice because hydro-MRI offers the advantage of a superior depiction of the inflamed bowel wall and the extramural complications of this disease without radiation exposure. In addition, hydro-MRI allows for a reliable assessment of the inflammatory activity, especially for the differentiation between an active and an inactive (scarred) stenosis. In particular, the mural enhancement, the length as well as the wall thickness of inflamed bowel segments, are considered to be significant MR parameters for the determination of the activity of Crohn's disease. Hydro-MRI of the colon is suitable for the depiction of pathologic changes in ulcerative colitis, but in contrast to Crohn's disease, the assessment of disease activity by hydro-MRI is unreliable in ulcerative colitis, probably because of the low spatial resolution (mucositis in ulcerative colitis vs. transmural inflammation in Crohn's disease). Hydro-MRI does not allow a reliable classification of inflammatory bowel diseases, but in ambiguous cases, hydro-MRI may provide helpful information for the differentiation of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. There are no data of larger patient groups published regarding MR findings in inflammatory bowel diseases besides Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, but hydro-MRI is a promising imaging tool for these entities, which should be assessed in additional studies.     

Glycylprolyl-p-nitroanilidase in hepatobiliary disease

The serum activity of glycylprolyl-p-nitroanilidase (GPN) has been compared with isocitrate dehydrogenase and with alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in patients with hepatobiliary diseases, myocardial infarction and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Serum GPN was markedly increased in all hepatobiliary diseases, especially secondary carcinoma and chronic alcoholic hepatitis, but no abnormal values were seen in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Slightly elevated GPN activities were noticed in a few cases of myocardial infarction. It is suggested that serum GPN would be useful for monitoring hepatic function, especially in the clinical trials of new drug.     

Role of computed tomography enterography/magnetic resonance enterography: is it in prime time?

Today, cross-sectional imaging modalities, such as computed tomography enterography (CTE) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), are particularly suited to evaluate small bowel diseases, especially Crohn's disease (CD). It is well known that CTE/MRE can provide excellent assessment of disease activity as well as the macroscopic features, extramural abnormalities, and complications of the small intestine in patients with CD. In general, CTE is considered as the first-line modality for the evaluation of suspected inflammatory bowel disease and for long-term assessment or follow-up of these patients. Because of the advantage of lack of radiation, MRE is being used more frequently, especially in children or young patients with CD.     

Crohn’s disease diagnosis,treatment approach,and management paradigm: what the radiologist needs to know

Crohn’s disease is one of the major subtypes of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease and is characterized by chronic transmural intestinal inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract anywhere from mouth to the anus, with a predilection for the small bowel. Cross-sectional imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance enterography plays a key role in confirming diagnosis, identifying and managing complications, assessing disease severity, and identifying response to medical therapy. This review will focus on the role of radiologists in the diagnosis and assessment of Crohn’s disease. Additionally, a review of current medical therapy approaches, available medications, and side effects will be discussed. The review will also highlight key complications of medical therapy and associated diseases that should be evaluated by the radiologist with cross-sectional imaging.

     

CT and MR enterography in evaluating small bowel diseases: when to use which modality?

MR and CT techniques optimized for small bowel imaging are playing an increasing role in the evaluation of small bowel disorders. Several studies have shown the advantages of these techniques over traditional barium fluoroscopic examinations due to improvements in spatial and temporal resolution combined with improved bowel distending agents. The preference of MR vs. CT has been geographical and based on expertise and public policy. With the increasing awareness of radiation exposure, there has been a more global interest in implementing techniques that either reduce or eliminate radiation exposure. This is especially important in patients with chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease who may require multiple studies over a lifetime or in studies that require sequential imaging time points such as in assessment of gastrointestinal motility. MRI has many properties that make it well suited to imaging of the small bowel: the lack of ionizing radiation, the improved tissue contrast that can be obtained by using a variety of pulse sequences, and the ability to perform real time functional imaging. Moreover, MR modalities allow visualization of the entire bowel, without overlapping bowel loops, as well as the detection of both intra- and extraluminal abnormalities.The intra- and extraluminal MR findings, combined with contrast enhancement and functional information, help to make an accurate diagnosis and consequently characterize small bowel diseases.     

Ulcerative colitis: value of MR imaging

Recent technologic advances have greatly improved the quality of abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by allowing the identification of abnormalities in inflammatory bowel disease. Thus far, the role of MRI has been extensively investigated in Crohn disease (CD) and, to a minor extent, in ulcerative colitis (UC), likely due to intrinsic differences between these two diseases. In UC the inflammatory lesions, unlike CD, are confined to the colon, have a predictable spreading, and affect only the inner wall layer; thus endoscopy alone can assess the extent and severity of disease in most cases. However, preliminary studies have demonstrated that MRI also can be a reliable diagnostic tool for UC because it is useful for integrating clinical and endoscopic data. MRI can be valuable in distinguishing CD from UC in uncertain cases by assessing the sparing of the distal ileum and the continuity of colonic involvement. Moreover, MRI can provide important information if endoscopy is incomplete, e.g., due to tight strictures, or contraindicated, e.g., in severely acute disease, due to a high risk of perforation. MRI can detect most of the typical findings of the diseases, such as wall thickening, mural stratification, loss of haustrations, and several complications including fibrotic or neoplastic strictures. In addition, MRI can be extremely valuable in assessing disease activity by monitoring the degree of wall gadolinium enhancement and T2 signal at the level of the affected bowel segments, thus influencing pharmacologic and surgical planning. In the next few years, MRI will likely become the imaging modality of choice in the clinical management of this disease.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography

Endosonography is primarily a diagnostic imaging modality, but new therapeutic applications are being developed. Miniprobe technology (ultrasound catheter probes) has led to new clinical applications. The staging of gastrointestinal cancers remains the major accepted indication for endosonography. Other conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, portal hypertension, and inflammatory bowel diseases, are also being evaluated with endosonographic imaging.     

Advances in the assessment of disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease

Knowledge of the severity and extent of the inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases provides a means of determining rational therapeutic strategies in affected patients. During the past 3 decades, several clinical, laboratory, and combined indices have been proposed for the assessment of inflammatory bowel disease; refinements in radiologic methods and the availability of endoscopy and biopsy have facilitated the accurate assessment of the extent and severity of the disease. In relapsing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, however, the use of such procedures is limited by the radiation exposure or the relatively invasive nature of the technique. In this article, we review the proposed methods and recent advances in assessment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease; we also discuss possible strategies at the time of diagnosis, during recurrence, and in evaluation of the efficacy of drug or dietic therapy.     

Double-contrast magnetic resonance imaging of the small and large bowel: effectiveness in the evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease

Double-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DC-MRI) is a technique for imaging the intestine, which has shown to be very effective in assessing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and particularly Crohn’s disease (CD). The expression derives from the association of two different contrast agents, a superparmagnetic intestinal and a paramagnetic intravenous contrast agent. This specific contrast media combination provides optimization of the tissue contrast, both on T1- and T2-weighted images, thus allowing an effective display of small and large bowel loops in normal and pathologic conditions. Therefore, main CD complications (strictures, fistulas, and abscesses), as well as disease activity, may be valuably assessed. The term DC-MRI may also be referred to the typical “double contrast” effect that is produced by this technique at the level of the inflamed bowel wall, both on T1- and T2-weighted images, directly related to the degree of wall inflammation (disease activity).     

Roentgen diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases in the child

Inflammatory diseases of the bowel, especially of the small bowel, frequently present with vague symptoms in children. In many cases X-ray examination enables diagnosis, differentiation and localization of such diseases, as well as follow up and detection of complications. In the hand of the experienced radiologist the exposure to X-rays is very low. Radiological signs are demonstrated according to the most important inflammatory disease entities.     

Ultrasonographic findings in Crohn’s disease

In recent years transabdominal bowel sonography has become a first-line modality both in the diagnosis and in the follow-up of inflammatory bowel diseases, especially Crohn’s disease, reaching values of sensitivity ranging from 84 to 93 %. In particular, its role is very useful in the early diagnosis of complications such as stenosis, phlegmons, abscesses and fistulae. According to the available literature the ability of US to provide information about disease activity is still under debate and further studies are necessary. In this regard, of fundamental importance is the use of additional techniques such as color- and power-Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The purpose of this paper is to report the main sonographic intestinal and extraintestinal findings detectable in Crohn’s disease.     

Detection of Helicobacter species in chronic liver disease and chronic inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To study the association between helicobacters and chronic liver diseases and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with various chronic liver diseases and 137 patients with inflammatory bowel disease were enrolled. Antibodies to H. pylori, H. hepaticus, H. bilis, and H. pullorum were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and sera positive in a non-pylori helicobacter EIA were further examined by immunoblot assay. Detection of Helicobacter DNA in liver biopsies was done by denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR products (PCR-DGGE) and DNA sequence analysis. RESULTS: Six inflammatory bowel disease patients, four with ulcerative colitis and two with Crohn's disease, and one liver disease patient with autoimmune cholangitis had antibodies to non-pylori helicobacters by an immunoblot assay. Four immunoblot assay-negative patients, three with autoimmune and one with non-autoimmune liver disease, had Helicobacter DNA in liver biopsies; three of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were closely related to non-pylori helicobacters. CONCLUSION: Evidence for non-pylori helicobacters was scant in Finnish patients with inflammatory bowel disease or chronic but not end stage liver disease. We cannot, however, rule out their role in these diseases.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory diseases.

Inflammation is overall a protective response, whose main goal is to liberate the human being of cellular lesions caused by micro-organisms, toxins, allergens, etc., as well as its consequences, and of death cells and necrotic tissues. Chronic inflammation, which is detrimental to tissues, is the basic pathogenic mechanism of hypersensitivity reactions against xenobiotics. Other frequent pathologies, for instance atherosclerosis, chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver cirrhosis, lung fibrosis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis are also chronic inflammatory diseases. Chemical mediators of inflammation are derived from blood plasma or different cell-type activity. Biogenic amines, eicosanoids and cytokines are within the most important mediators of inflammatory processes. The different activities of eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) versus those derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) are one of the most important mechanisms to explain why n-3, or omega-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in many inflammatory diseases. Dietary supplements ranging 1-8 g per day of n-3 PUFA have been reportedly beneficial in the treatment of IBD, eczema, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, recent experimental studies in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis, induced by intrarectal injection of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, have documented that treatment with n-3 long-chain PUFA reduces mucosal damage as assessed by biochemical and histological markers of inflammation. Moreover, the defence antioxidant system in this model is enhanced in treated animals, provided that the n-3 PUFA supply is adequately preserved from oxidation.     

Chronic diarrhea. A practical approach.

Many patients who present with chronic diarrhea are not found to have an important organic disease. Most will have "functional" diarrhea. The history, the physical examination and the initial laboratory tests should lead to a provisional diagnosis, with respect to the organic or functional origin, and the location of disease in the small or the large bowel. Specific tests are then done to define particular organic causes of which malabsorption, inflammatory bowel diseases, carcinoma of the large bowel, parasitic infections, and metabolic disorders are most common. Patients with suspected functional diarrhea should be investigated at least by stool analysis, proctosigmoidoscopy, and barium enema. Functional diarrhea is common and these patients are no less susceptible to severe disease than is the rest of the population.     

Is there any food I can eat? Living with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel syndrome are chronic, debilitating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. There are no known causes of inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome. Both of these GI conditions significantly impair quality of life and the ability to complete activities of daily living. Unfortunately, there has been little education and research surrounding the evaluation of effective coping strategies with respect to GI disorders, particularly from the perspective of those diagnosed. As such, exploring the strategies of individuals with GI disorders would provide information concerning coping strategies from the perspective of those afflicted. PURPOSE: The overall objective of this research was to explore the lived experience of women who had been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome. This article specifically explores the relationship between food and irritable bowel syndrome and/or inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Eight females, diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome, were recruited via on-campus posters from a university in southern Ontario, Canada. Qualitative information was collected in the form of background questionnaires, e-mail interviews, and face-to-face interviews, which were subsequently analyzed for trends. RESULTS: Every woman reported that one of the most significant means by which to cope with their condition centered around food consumption or controlling their food consumption. Subjects identified the importance of determining their "trigger foods," selecting healthy food choices, the impact of stress, and problems associated with food and travel. CONCLUSIONS: This research, predicated on the narratives of women diagnosed with GI disorders, substantiates the profound effect that food has on conditions of the GI tract. All of the women identified their relationship with food as a dynamic learning process, one that they thought would be a lifelong struggle. The implications for community health nurses in assisting individuals with GI disorders are discussed.     

Perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease: MRI diagnosis and surgical planning

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, transmural inflammatory process of the gastrointestinal tract. It often affects the colon with the perianal area. The most common intestinal manifestations include external and/or internal fistulas and abscesses. Assessment of the activity of perianal fistulas in the course of Crohn’s disease seems to be an important factor influencing therapeutic approach. Fistula’s activity is evaluated by such methods as magnetic resonance imaging, anal ultrasound and examination under anaesthesia. Usefulness of imaging methods in the diagnosis of fistulas still remains to be defined. MRI is used to present a wide spectrum of perianal fistulazing Crohn’s disease. Additionally, it is an important instrument revealing location, extent and severity of inflammation. It is also very helpful to detect clinically silent sepsis related to small, local inflammation. The most common method used in MR imaging to assess topography of a fistula’s track, is Parks’ classification. Clinical indications to MRI may include follow-up studies of a diagnosed disease, classification of fistulas’ subtypes in the course of Crohn’s disease, determination of the extent of fistulas’ tracts and spread of an inflammatory process what can guide surgical procedures.     

Functional imaging of the bowel

Functional imaging techniques enable physiological information to be derived, which, combined with high-resolution anatomical imaging, has the potential to improve the management of patients with intestinal disease. Two of the common pathologies where imaging has a substantial role in depicting disease extent, in staging disease, and assessing therapeutic response and/or disease relapse are cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. In these scenarios, functional imaging may augment assessment of disease activity, therapeutic response/non-response, as well as disease relapse by indicating physiological changes as a result of tumor, inflammation, or fibrosis.     

Intestinal motility disorders of infants and children: classification, clinical manifestations and roentgenology

Diseases affecting intestinal motility in the pediatric age group are reviewed as to pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and imaging investigation. Acute disease includes classical paralytic ileus (which has unique causes and manifestations in the infant) and acute regional bowel paralysis. Perinatal motility disorders consist of a group of related clinical syndromes which have in common functional intestinal obstruction. Chronic motility disorders are divided into those diseases in which the principal abnormality is in the bowel or those entities where the gut is affected as part of a generalized disease. Regional muscle disease includes Hirschsprung's disease and allied disorders. Some recognized causes of chronic functional obstruction of bowel include megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome, rare enzymatic disorders, several discrete forms of chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction, as well as some less well-defined entities. Clinical and pathologic nature and methods of imaging investigation of these entities are considered.     

Diet in Benign Colonic Disorders: A Narrative Review

PurposeDiet plays an important role in common benign colorectal diseases. This article reviews the evidence for diet and supplemental fiber in patients with chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic diverticulitis, and fecal incontinence.MethodsWe performed a narrative review of the evidence for diet and supplemental fiber in patients with 5 common benign colonic diseases and summarized guideline recommendations for each condition. We generated tables of practical dietary advice by disease.FindingsDiet advice must be individualized and depends on underlying conditions, disease severity, symptom burden, and nutrition status. Guidance from a registered dietitian is highly recommended when making any dietary changes. Data from trials suggest that soluble fiber is effective for patients with chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and fecal incontinence. A diet low in select fermentable, oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides, and polyols may benefit patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, especially those with active disease, are at risk for malnutrition. Dietary restrictions may further increase that risk. There is limited evidence to recommend increasing or avoiding select food groups in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Patients who have recovered from diverticulitis should adopt a prudent dietary pattern high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, poultry, and fish.ImplicationsClinicians should counsel patients on the contribution of diet to their colorectal condition and the benefits and harms of dietary modification. Dietary advice should be practical and accompanied by realistic expectations for benefit.     

MR imaging in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of diffuse parenchymal abnormalities of the liver has been expanded by recent technical advances of MR systems as well as the evolution of intravenous contrast media. Currently, MR is undoubtedly the most useful imaging modality for detecting the presence of chronic liver disease. Tailored sequences allow acurate depiction of specific disorders, including steatohepatitis and iron-overload states. Morphologic changes and signal intensity effects not only facilitate the diagnosis of chronic liver disease with MRI but they also help to distinguish between different etiologies, and they assist in staging the histologic severity of certain chronic conditions. Moreover, the faster MRI scanning techniques presently available permit the dynamic assessment of contrast enhancement, which permits improved characterization of focal hepatic lesions, including regenerative nodules, dysplastic nodules, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although overlap in MRI findings still may exist among different types of chronic liver disease and among focal liver lesions, familiarity with certain specific imaging features may be diagnostic in the proper clinical setting. Finally, comprehensive MRI examination, including MR angiography and MR cholangiography, is the most sensitive and cost-effective technique for detecting extrahepatic disease, diagnosing vascular disorders, and evaluating the patient before or after liver transplantation. This article focuses on the current role of MR imaging in patients with chronic liver disease. The subjects covered include the detection and characterization of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, specific findings seen in steatohepatitis and certain metabolic diseases, the evaluation of extrahepatic vascular complications of cirrhosis, and patient assessment before and after liver transplantation. The characterization of hepatic masses is also included briefly. This subject is covered in greater depth elsewhere in this issue.