Utility of abdominal ultrasonography in the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Abdominal ultrasonography has been undervalued for years as technique used in examining the gastrointestinal tract. However, thanks to the technological advances that have been seen in ultrasonography probes and the use of high frequency equipment, we are able to obtain high quality images of the intestinal wall. Moreover, due to the increased sensitivity of the colour Doppler, we can detect the parietal vascularization. Finally, in recent years, intravenous ultrasonography contrast agents have been used that allow not only the inflammatory activity to be quantified but also the presence of complications with a diagnostic accuracy similar to computed tomography (CT) and full magnetic resonance (full-RM), without the associated radiation risk and at a lower cost. This article reviews the utility of abdominal ultrasonography in inflammatory bowel disease, in particular Crohn's disease, both during initial diagnosis and follow-up of the disease; the article also reviews the ability of the technique to be used in the detection of complications (stenosis, fistulas and abscesses).

Keywords

• Ecografía
• Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal
• Enfermedad de Crohn
• Medios de contraste