Title:The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn’s Disease
Volume: 13
Issue: 10
Author(s): Gionata Fiorino, Monica Cesarini, Alberto Malesci, Silvio Danese and Dario Sorrentino
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, magnetic resonance imaging, fibrosis, inflammation, intestinalstrictures, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnostic techniques, computerized tomography (CT), gastrointestinal.
Abstract: One of the main challenges for clinicians dealing with Crohn’s disease (CD) is to distinguish between inflammation
and fibrosis, two sequential steps in the evolution of the intestinal disease. While inflammation is amenable to
medical treatment, stricturing disease can only benefit from surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely used
tool in the diagnosis and assessment of CD. Recent data suggest that this technique might help in discriminating between
fibrosis and inflammation and as such potentially guide medical decisions. In this review we will first highlight the main
diagnostic techniques for CD. We will then briefly review the main mechanisms of fibrosis in this condition and the use of
MRI in CD focusing on findings predictive of fibrosis and fibrotic evolution.
