Radiologic evaluation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Imaging plays a vital role in disease management for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Ultrasound, magnetic resonance enterography, and computed tomographic enterography have become the dominant modalities used today and have largely supplanted plain radiographs, and small bowel follows through exams. With standardized language and consensus recommendations in interpretation, imaging is being used at diagnosis, to guide treatment options, assesses for complications, and to follow the therapeutic response of the inflammatory burden. As imaging has improved our understanding of the natural history of inflammatory bowel disease, newer techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound, ultrasound elastography, and PET/MR continue to emerge. This chapter will review the current role of these various modalities necessary for the pediatric gastroenterologist in the clinical management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.