Functional imaging of the bowel

Abdom Imaging. 2013 Dec;38(6):1203-13. doi: 10.1007/s00261-013-0030-8.

Abstract

Functional imaging techniques enable physiological information to be derived, which, combined with high-resolution anatomical imaging, has the potential to improve the management of patients with intestinal disease. Two of the common pathologies where imaging has a substantial role in depicting disease extent, in staging disease, and assessing therapeutic response and/or disease relapse are cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. In these scenarios, functional imaging may augment assessment of disease activity, therapeutic response/non-response, as well as disease relapse by indicating physiological changes as a result of tumor, inflammation, or fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Intestinal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Radiopharmaceuticals