Radiologic (radiographic) and imaging features of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Abstract

Since the previous edition of this book several advances have occurred in the radiologic evaluation of both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The most important of these is the definition of the place of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation and management of these conditions. Other imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclide imaging (NM) and ultrasonography (US) have also become more important in evaluation of both UC and CD. Imaging studies are used in all phases of these conditions: (1) in the initial evaluation of the patient to allow a diagnosis to be established; (2) in the preoperative patient to determine the full extent of disease; (3) in the postoperative patient to evaluate complications of treatment and the presence of recurrent disease; (4) during clinical exacerbations to determine if complications are present; (5) to demonstrate extraluminal and extra-abdominal manifestations; and (6) to allow imaging-guided interventional procedures to be undertaken in patients with complicated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.