MRI of the bowel - beyond inflammatory bowel disease

Pediatr Radiol. 2018 Aug;48(9):1280-1290. doi: 10.1007/s00247-018-4166-0. Epub 2018 Aug 4.

Abstract

MR enterography is traditionally used to evaluate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) both at initial presentation and at follow-up. MR enterography can also be used to evaluate non-IBD conditions such as polyps or other masses of the gastrointestinal tract. In this article, we emphasize how to recognize bowel conditions beyond IBD on conventional abdominal MRI without a specific enterographic technique. In this overview we discuss common and uncommon pediatric bowel conditions beyond IBD seen on MRI including infectious and inflammatory conditions, congenital diseases and tumor and tumor-like conditions. Radiologists should become familiar with the salient imaging features of these bowel conditions to help guide management.

Keywords: Bowel; Children; Graft-versus-host disease; Infection; Magnetic resonance enterography; Mass; Neurofibroma; Polyp.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media