ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE ENTEROGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSTICS OF ACTIVE CROHN’S DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Background Crohn’s disease (CD) is an idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease of the gastrointestinal tract. It is more common in the developed and industrialized countries, particularly in the Western Europe and North America. Up to 20–30% of patients present first symptoms during childhood or adolescence. Traditionally it is diagnosed by clinical indicates, endoscopy and histological findings. Assessment of the disease activity and location along the gastrointestinal tract are of crucial importance for diagnosis and implementation of the proper treatment. Active inflammation can manifest as mural thickening, edema, ulcerations, abscesses or fistulas. Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is the most modern radiological method in depicting all of these manifestations of CD. Objective The aim of the study was to assess the value of MRE in evaluation of Crohn’s disease in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods 18 children (8 boys, 10 girls) with confirmed diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, were included in the study. Each patient underwent MR enterography with intravenous administration of a contrast agent. All studies were performed using a 1.5T scanner according to a local study protocol. Results All MRE findings were associated with small bowel inflammation. All patients showed asymmetric ileal wall thickening and edema. Edematous ileocecal valve was visible in 8 patients. In 7 cases reactive lymphadenopathy was detected (lymph nodes ≥ 10 mm in short axis). In 4 patients small intestine fistulas were found, whereas abscess was observed in another 4 patients. In contrast-enhanced images, a vivid enhancement of the affected bowel section was revealed in all patients and in 10 children inflammatory infiltration of periintestinal fat was depicted. Conclusion MRE is a reliable tool in diagnosis, evaluation of the disease activity and assessment of potential complications of Crohn’s disease. Due to the lack of ionizing radiation MRE exhibits beneficial safety profile and can be offered to patients who repeatedly require follow-up examinations, especially in pediatric patients.