Sonographic findings in a case of Crohn disease

Abstract

Crohn disease is an incurable inflammatory bowel disease that can involve the large or small bowel but typically is located at the terminal ileum. The disease ranges from mild inflammation to bowel obstruction, fistula, and abscess formation and is typically diagnosed during adolescence or the early 20s. Patients with Crohn disease undergo multiple follow-up imaging examinations for the disease during the course of their lives. Sonographic findings in an adolescent patient diagnosed with Crohn disease are discussed. Sonography is emerging not only as an effective imaging modality for long-term disease follow-up but also, with the addition of hydrosonography and improved transducer technology, as a primary diagnostic tool. © The Author(s) 2012.