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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2014; 5(4): 457-461
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.457
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.457
Role of bowel ultrasound in the management of postoperative Crohn's disease
Elena Ercole, Caterina Rigazio, IBD Center, Gastroenterology Department, Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Torino, Italy
Author contributions: Ercole E and Rigazio C contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Caterina Rigazio, MD, IBD Center, Gastroenterology Department, Mauriziano Hospital, Largo Turati 62, 10128 Torino, Italy. catrigazio@libero.it
Telephone: +39-11-5082171 Fax: +39-11-5082536
Received: May 29, 2014
Revised: August 1, 2014
Accepted: September 6, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Revised: August 1, 2014
Accepted: September 6, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: In the recent years, after the introduction of new drugs, prevention of recurrence is one of the emerging issues in the management of Crohn’s disease because a more aggressive and earlier therapy is supposed to change the clinical course of the disease. Endoscopy, that is presently the standard reference for the diagnosis, is not well tolerated by patients. To asses pre-clinical signs of recurrence a non-invasive alternative is needed. Magnetic resonance imaging shows accurate results but with high costs and low availability. Bowel ultrasound can detect early specific signs of recurrence. Advantages, limits and clinical implications of the technique are discussed below.