New frontiers of MRI in Crohn's disease: motility imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion MRI, MR spectroscopy, molecular imaging, and hybrid imaging (PET/MRI)

Abdom Imaging. 2012 Dec;37(6):974-82. doi: 10.1007/s00261-012-9890-6.

Abstract

This article reviews the latest diagnostic advances in the evaluation of the CD, including functional studies on intestinal motility and molecular characterization of the inflammatory process at the level of the involved bowel. Molecular changes related to inflammation of the intestinal wall may be evaluated by different MRI techniques, including diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging, in vivo spectroscopy, molecular imaging, and fusion imaging (PET-MRI).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Crohn Disease / pathology*
  • Crohn Disease / physiopathology
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / physiology
  • Humans
  • Ileum / pathology
  • Ileum / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / trends*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods