Dig Dis Sci 1996; 41:1643-1648

Ultrasonographic detection of intestinal complications in Crohn’s disease.

Maconi G, Bollani S, Bianchi Porro G.

Department of Gastroenterology, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of

ultrasound (US) in assessing the main abdominal complications of Crohn's disease

(CD), such as strictures, fistulas and abscesses. A series of 98 consecutive

inpatients with complicated and uncomplicated Crohn's disease, having undergone

a complete endoscopic and radiographic evaluation of the intestinal tract,

entered the study. In particular, in these patients the presence of strictures,

fistulas, and abscesses, detected by means of colonoscopy, small bowel x-ray,

double-contrast barium enema, and computed tomography, was also assessed by

means of transabdominal US. US sensitivity and specificity in the assessment of

stenosis of Crohn's disease were 74.4% and 93.1%, respectively. When ileal and

colonic stenosis were considered separately, transabdominal US correctly

assessed 84.6% of ileal stenosis and 58.8% of colonic stenosis. Eight of 12

fistulas were detected, but only 50% of enteroenteric fistulas were diagnosed.

The presence of abscesses was correctly detected in 83.3% of cases by means of

US. Our data suggest that US is a suitable complementary method for the

detection of abdominal complications of Crohn's disease, such as strictures and

abscesses; however, its usefulness in assessing enteroenteric fistulas seems to

be fairly limited.