CT enterography in Crohn’s disease

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) enterography has become a vital tool in the noninvasive assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This has largely been driven by the need for objective Crohn’s disease evaluations, noting its predilection for small bowel involvement. CT enterography (CTE) utilizes a large volume of neutral oral contrast along with enteric phase intravenous contrast to perform both intestinal and extra-intestinal interrogations. It has a high sensitivity and specificity for active luminal inflammation, and it can detect stricturing and penetrating complications. Robust data now demonstrates that CTE alters physician management plans. Emerging procedural modifications will likely keep CTE as an integral part of future Crohn’s disease diagnostic and management algorithms.