Am J Gastroenterol  1992 Apr;87(4):443-7 

Ultrasonographic assessment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Hata J, Haruma K, Suenaga K, Yoshihara M, Yamamoto G, Tanaka S, Shimamoto T,

Sumii K, Kajiyama G.

Department of Internal Medicine, Futami Central Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.

Ultrasound examinations were performed in 36 patients with Crohn's disease, 28

with ulcerative colitis, and 50 with no bowel disease. The pathological findings

were classified into three types and compared with the radiographic and/or

colonoscopic findings. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis could be detected

by ultrasonography with a sensitivity of 86% and 89%, respectively. The

ultrasonographic features correlated with the radiographic/colonoscopic findings

and with disease activity, but did not help much in making a differential

diagnosis, although the location of the pathologic changes was helpful to some

extent. In conclusion, ultrasonography can serve as a useful alternative

diagnostic procedure that permits us to obtain information about transmural

changes in inflammatory bowel disease.