Contrast-enhanced bowel ultrasound in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease: a literature review

Intestinal ultrasound using microbubble contrast agents or contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), is promising investigation allowing to perform quantitative and qualitative assessment of inflammatory changes of the intestinal wall such as its thickening, changes of the structure and abnormal microcirculation. This changes correlate with inflammation intensity and help to reveal complications including abscesses, strictures and fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease. There has been established high sensitivity and moderate specificity of the method in diagnosis of active Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because IBD is a chronic condition requiring frequent visualization to control treatment efficacy which should be safe, not expensive and accurate. CEUS fits these requirements and is not inferior to Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.