Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography enterography (CTE) in demonstrating luminal and extraluminal pathologies in patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD).
Material and methods: In 20 symptomatic patients diagnosed with CD histopathologically, CTE findings obtained after optimal bowel distension with oral contrast material were evaluated retrospectively. The involved segment was evaluated in terms of the presence of intestinal wall thickening (focal or diffuse), pathological contrast enhancement in the intestinal wall, increased vascularity in the intestinal mesentery, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, intraperitoneal fluid, enteric fistula, and intraabdominal abscess. In addition, evaluation was made in terms of extraintestinal findings that may be related to the disease.
Results: A total of 20 patients (11 females, 9 males; age range: 24 to 61 years, mean age: 39.7±11.4 years) were included in the study. The most frequently affected intestinal segment was the terminal ileum (n: 10, 50%). Pathological intestinal wall enhancement was detected in 14 patients (70%), mesenteric lymphadenopathy in 16 patients (80%), and comb sign in 15 patients (75%). Intraabdominal abscess was detected in 4 cases (20%) and enteric fistula in 4 cases (20%). Related to the disease; kidney stones in one patient and previous cholecystectomy findings in two patients were observed.
Conclusion: CTE is a very effective method that can simultaneously monitor the intestinal and extraintestinal findings of the symptomatic patients with Crohn's disease and guide the treatment choice.
Key words: Crohns disease, CT enterography, complication, fistula, abscess, wall thickening, enteroclysis.
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