Cine magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of peristalsis of small bowel with longitudinal ulcer in Crohn disease: preliminary results.

Objective: To evaluate peristalsis of the small bowel with a longitudinal ulcer in Crohn disease using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Fifteen patients with suspected or diagnosed Crohn disease were examined by cine MRI using a multislice and multiphase method. Inclusion criteria were pathological evidence of Crohn disease and confirmation of longitudinal ulceration in the small bowel by ileocolonoscopy, single- or double-contrast radiography of the small bowel, or surgery. Six of these patients were included in this study. Cine MRI findings of the small bowels were retrospectively reviewed by 2 radiologists.

Results: Asymmetric involvement or mesenteric rigidity with antimesenteric flexibility was seen in all patients by cine MRI. This finding was not seen in normal small bowel segments. A combination of ileocolonoscopy and contrast radiography detected longitudinal ulcers in 5 of the 6 patients, and surgery revealed ulceration in the remaining patient.

Conclusions: Cine MRI was a feasible approach for detecting a longitudinal ulcer in small-bowel Crohn disease.