Introduction: Perianal Crohn’s disease (CD) can be a severe manifestation of pediatric CD. Earlier detection may alter outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine if performing pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MR) on newly diagnosed pediatric CD patients would identify asymptomatic perianal CD and lead to earlier biologic use and less perianal surgery. Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled into the Edmonton Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic (EPIC) registry (baseline pelvic MR since 2018). A retrospective review (2018-2023) was performed. A blinded radiologist re-read the positive MRs using St. James and Parks criteria. Results: 139 patients were included (median age 13 IQR 11-16, range 6-18). Overall, 19% (n=27/139) had subclinical perianal disease (MR+/ asymptomatic (ASx)). For patients who were both asymptomatic and had a normal perianal exam (n=86/139, 62%), their subclinical perianal disease rate was similar at 20% (n=17/86). Compared to MR-/ASx, MR+/ASx patients had a relative risk of 1.40 95% CI 1.18-1.68 and 1.32 95% CI 1.17-1.52 of starting a biologic at 6 and 12 months. MR+/Sx needed the most and earliest perianal surgery, but MR+/ASx also had higher rates and faster time to perianal surgery than MR-/ASx (p=0.02). Perianal side branch fistula was a predictor of surgery (OR 107.6, 95% CI 16.9-2178 p<0.0001). Discussion: 1 in 5 newly diagnosed pediatric CD patients had subclinical perianal disease, even when having a normal perianal physical exam. These patients needed more and earlier perianal surgery and had higher biologic use despite their perianal disease being subclinical. Adding routine MR imaging at time of pediatric CD diagnosis may help inform treatment decisions and improve these outcomes.
Antaya et al. (Wed,) studied this question.