Crohn's disease activity: quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound assessment.

Objectives: To determine whether quantitative parameters from contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination (CE-US) of the bowel wall correlate with endoscopic inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease and to assess its utility in the follow-up of patients on treatment.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 30 patients with Crohn's disease requiring colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Crohn's disease endoscopic index of severity (CDEIS) were calculated.

Informed consent in direct access colonoscopy.

Background And Aim: Although direct access colonoscopy is a common practice, some consider the level of informed consent as inadequate, and therefore a medico-legal concern. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of informed consent from a patient perspective in a direct access colonoscopy service.

Methods: All patients having outpatient colonoscopy from May 2003 to February 2004 at a direct access colonoscopy service were considered for inclusion into the study.