The evaluation of inflammatory bowel activity in patients with Crohn’s disease has traditionally been a challenge, mainly because of the difficulty in gaining endoscopic access to the small bowel. Historically, barium-based contrast studies were the only option for the evaluation of inflammatory activity in Crohn’s disease. They were gradually replaced by cross-sectional imaging techniques, computed tomography enterography (CTE) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) now being the modalities of choice for such evaluations. Those two imaging methods have provided important information regarding intestinal wall involvement and extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease, not only assessing lesion characteristics and complications but also quantifying inflammatory bowel activity. The objective of this article is to review the main technical aspects of CTE and MRE, together with their indications, contraindications, and limitations, as well as the CTE and MRE imaging characteristics of inflammatory activity in Crohn’s disease.
Iatrogenic lesion of the bile ducts is a relatively common occurrence during liver surgery, increasing morbidity and mortality rates. T2-weighted magnetic resonance cholangiography and gadoxetic acid-enhanced functional magnetic resonance cholangiography (fMRC) with administration of hepatobiliary-specific contrast medium (gadoxetic acid) are fundamental to the diagnostic imaging approach in patients with such lesions. Here, we present a review of the literature and suggest an imaging approach to biliary tract injury, focusing on clinical cases in which fMRC had an impact on the decision-making process for the management of the affected patients.
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