ABSTRACT

Gray scale and harmonic ultrasonographic and multidetector computed tomographic findings of 6 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (4 Crohn and 2 ulcerative colitis) were prospectively evaluated. Positive radiologic findings (mesenteric lymphadenopathy, wall thickenning and luminal narrowing of colon segments, and striating in mesenteric fatty tissues) were detected in 3 cases. Wall irregularities and decreased caliber, and pattern of wall irregularities were differentiated by virtual colonoscopy and harmonic ultrasonography, respectively. Addition of harmonic scanning to gray scale ultrasonographic examination provides better visualization of wall irregularities in inflammatory bowel diseases. In order to obtain additional information in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases multidetector computed tomography, which provides evaluation of all intestinal segments by multiplanar reformatted and virtual colonoscopic images can be used.