Bowel wall enhancement in magnetic resonance colonography for assessing activity in Crohnʹs disease

Background This study focuses on the correlation of the signal intensity (SI) of the bowel wall in magnetic resonance (MR) colonography with the inflammation activity in Crohnʹs disease. Material and methods We performed MR colonography in 42 patients and compared the change of the SI of the bowel wall (T1-weighted/paramagnetic contrast medium) with colonoscopic findings. Results Change of the SI and colonoscopically assessed inflammatory activity are significantly correlated (r=.676, P≤.01). Conclusion The degree of the contrast enhancement of the bowel wall may be a criterion for the degree of inflammation in Crohnʹs disease.