Molecular Engineering of Activatable NIR-II Hemicyanine Reporters for Early Diagnosis and Prognostic Assessment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Molecular imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) provides high-fidelity visualization of biopathological events in deep tissue. However, most NIR-II probes produce "always-on" output and demonstrate poor signal specificity toward biomarkers. Herein, we report a series of hemicyanine reporters (HBCs) with tunable emission to NIR-II window (715-1188 nm) and structurally amenable to constructing activatable probes. Such manipulation of emission wavelengths relies on rational molecular engineering by integrating benz[c,d]indolium, benzo[b]xanthonium, and thiophene moieties to a conventional hemicyanine skeleton. In particular, HBC4 and HBC5 possess bright and record long emission over 1050 nm, enabling improved tissue penetration depth and superior signal to background ratio for intestinal tract mapping than NIR-I fluorophore HC1. An activatable inflammatory reporter (AIR-PE) is further constructed for pH-triggered site-specific release in colon. Due to minimized background interference, oral gavage of AIR-PE allows clear delineation of irritated intestines and assessment of therapeutic responses in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through real-time NIRF-II imaging. Benefiting from its high fecal clearance efficiency (>90%), AIR-PE can also detect IBD and evaluate the effectiveness of colitis treatments via in vitro optical fecalysis, which outperforms typical clinical assays including fecal occult blood testing and histological examination. This study thus presents NIR-II molecular scaffolds that are not only applicable to developing versatile activatable probes for early diagnosis and prognostic monitoring of deeply seated diseases but also hold promise for future clinical translations.

Substantial cost savings of ultrasound-based management over magnetic resonance imaging-based management in an inflammatory bowel disease service.

BACKGROUND: Imaging is used to monitor disease activity in small bowel Crohn's disease (CD). Magnetic Resonance Enterography is often employed as a first modality in the United Kingdom for assessment and monitoring; however, waiting times, cost, patient burden and limited access are significant. It is as yet uncertain if small bowel intestinal ultrasound (IUS) may be a quicker, more acceptable, and cheaper alternative for monitoring patients with CD. METHODS: A clinical service evaluation of imaging pathways was undertaken at a single NHS site in England, United Kingdom. Data were collected about patients who were referred and underwent an imaging analysis for their IBD. Only patients who underwent a therapy change were included in the analysis. Data were collected from care episodes between 01 January 2021-30 March 2022. RESULTS: A combined total of 193 patient care episodes were reviewed, 107 from the IUS pathway and 86 from the MRE pathway. Estimated costs per patient in the IUS pathway was £78.86, and £375.35 per patient in the MRE pathway. The MRE pathway had an average time from referral to treatment initiation of 91 days (SD= ±61) with patients in the IUS pathway waiting an average of 46 days (SD= ±17). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this work indicate that IUS is a potential cost-saving option when compared to MRE when used in the management of CD. This is in addition to the cost difference of the radiological modalities. A large, multicentre, prospective study is needed to validate these initial findings.

What is already known on this topic ­ Ultrasound is a quick and accurate imaging investigation for patients living with Crohn's disease. Its effect on the cost utility of an Inflammatory Bowel Disease service is unknown.What this study adds ­ This work provides initial data suggesting that an ultrasound-based service may provide significant cost savings when compared to a magnetic resonance imaging-based service.How this study might affect research, practice, or policy ­ This work is part of a larger programme of work to investigate the barriers to wider ultrasound implementation in UK IBD services. This work will contribute to the design of an implementation and training package for intestinal ultrasound in the UK.

Transrectal Absorber Guide Raster-Scanning Optoacoustic Mesoscopy for Label-Free In Vivo Assessment of Colitis.

Optoacoustic imaging (OAI) enables microscale imaging of endogenous chromophores such as hemoglobin at significantly higher penetration depths compared to other optical imaging technologies. Raster-scanning optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM) has recently been shown to identify superficial microvascular changes associated with human skin pathologies. In animal models, the imaging depth afforded by RSOM can enable entirely new capabilities for noninvasive imaging of vascular structures in the gastrointestinal tract, but exact localization of intra-abdominal organs is still elusive. Herein the development and application of a novel transrectal absorber guide for RSOM (TAG-RSOM) is presented to enable accurate transabdominal localization and assessment of colonic vascular networks in vivo. The potential of TAG-RSOM is demonstrated through application during mild and severe acute colitis in mice. TAG-RSOM enables visualization of transmural vascular networks, with changes in colon wall thickness, blood volume, and OAI signal intensities corresponding to colitis-associated inflammatory changes. These findings suggest TAG-RSOM can provide a novel monitoring tool in preclinical IBD models, refining animal procedures and underlines the capabilities of such technologies to address inflammatory bowel diseases in humans.

Evaluation of intestinal ultrasound for disease activity assessment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary centre in Malaysia.

Background: The use of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is emerging. We aim to determine the performance of IUS in the assessment of disease activity in IBD. Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study of IUS performed on IBD patients in a tertiary centre. IUS parameters including intestinal wall thickness, loss of wall stratification, mesenteric fibrofatty proliferation, and increased vascularity were compared with endoscopic and clinical activity indices. Results: Among the 51 patients, 58.8% were male, with a mean age of 41 years. Fifty-seven percent had underlying ulcerative colitis with mean disease duration of 8.4 years. Against ileocolonoscopy, IUS had a sensitivity of 67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41-86) for detecting endoscopically active disease. It had high specificity of 97% (95% CI: 82-99) with positive and negative predictive values of 92% and 84%, respectively. Against clinical activity index, IUS had a sensitivity of 70% (95% CI: 35-92) and specificity of 85% (95% CI: 70-94) for detecting moderate to severe disease. Among individual IUS parameters, presence of bowel wall thickening (>3 mm) had the highest sensitivity (72%) for detecting endoscopically active disease. For per-bowel segment analysis, IUS (bowel wall thickening) was able to achieve 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity when examining the transverse colon. Conclusions: IUS has moderate sensitivity with excellent specificity in detecting active disease in IBD. IUS is most sensitive in detecting a disease at transverse colon. IUS can be employed as an adjunct in the assessment of IBD.

Role of through-the-scope catheter-based EUS in inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis and activity assessment.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Distinguishing Crohn's disease (CD) from ulcerative colitis (UC) may be difficult when the disease is limited to the colon. Transmural healing is an important adjunctive measure of inflammatory bowel disease activity. The aim of this study was to examine the role of EUS in differentiating CD versus UC and evaluating transmural disease activity. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled 20 patients with CD (10 active [aCD], 10 inactive), 20 patients with UC (10 active [aUC], 10 inactive), and 20 control subjects who underwent colonoscopy from 2019 to 2021 at a tertiary care center. Measurements of bowel wall layer thickness from the rectum and cecum were obtained using a through-the-scope US catheter (UM-3R-3; Olympus, Center Valley, Penn, USA) at the time of colonoscopy. RESULTS: Compared with control subjects, patients with aCD had thicker rectal submucosa and total wall layer (submucosa median, 1.80 mm [interquartile range {IQR}, 1.40-2.00] vs .60 mm [IQR, .40-.70]; total wall median, 3.70 mm [IQR, 3.52-4.62] vs 2.10 mm [IQR, 1.70-2.40], respectively; P < .01). Similar significant findings were observed for the cecal wall layers. Compared with control subjects, patients with aUC had thicker rectal mucosa and total wall but not submucosa or muscularis propria layers (mucosa median, 1.35 mm [IQR, 1.12-1.47] vs .60 mm [IQR, .57-.70]; total wall median, 3.45 mm [IQR, 2.85-3.75] vs 2.10 mm [IQR, 1.70-2.40], respectively; P < .01). Patients with aCD compared with those with aUC had a significantly thicker rectal submucosa layer (median, 1.80 mm [IQR, 1.40-2.00] vs .55 mm [IQR, .40-.75], respectively, P < .01). Cutoff values of 1.1 mm for rectal submucosa in CD (sensitivity, 1.0; specificity, 1.0) and 1.1 mm for rectal mucosa in UC (sensitivity, .8; specificity, .9) were found to differentiate active from inactive disease. CONCLUSIONS: EUS measurements of colon wall layers can help diagnose aCD versus aUC and assess transmural disease activity. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03863886.).

Pediatric Patient and Caregiver Satisfaction With the Use of Transabdominal Bowel Ultrasound in the Assessment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Transabdominal bowel ultrasound (TABUS) is emerging as an attractive, noninvasive tool in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patient and caregiver experience with TABUS is not well described. We aimed to determine pediatric patient and caregiver satisfaction with TABUS and the impact of IBD severity, gender, age, and a history of anxiety on satisfaction. METHODS: Pediatric patients (0-18 years old) with suspected IBD prospectively underwent baseline TABUS, magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), blood work, stool studies, and endoscopy. Patients and their caregiver each completed a cross-sectional satisfaction questionnaire (5-point Likert scale) after the baseline investigations. RESULTS: There were 54 patients included (67% male). The majority were completely satisfied and strongly agree TABUS was better tolerated than other investigations, regardless of disease severity ( P > 0.05). Patients with higher Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn Disease (SES-CD) scores felt that TABUS increased their understanding of their IBD ( P < 0.05) and disease location ( P < 0.05). Patients with Crohn disease had similar responses to those with ulcerative colitis, but more strongly agreed that TABUS was better than MRE and endoscopy ( P < 0.05). Those with anxiety did not have an increased level of worry about potential ultrasound findings ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients and their caregivers were highly satisfied with TABUS, preferring it to other modalities. It did not lead to increased worry, and was particularly important in those with severe IBD. These findings support wider implementation of this well tolerated and preferred monitoring tool in pediatrics.

Assessment of Murine Colon Inflammation Using Intraluminal Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is typically diagnosed by exclusion years after its onset. Current diagnostic methods are indirect, destructive, or target overt disease. Screening strategies that can detect low-grade inflammation in the colon would improve patient prognosis and alleviate associated healthcare costs. Here, we test the feasibility of fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) to detect inflammation from thick tissue in a non-destructive and label-free approach based on tissue autofluorescence. A pulse sampling FLIm instrument with 355 nm excitation was coupled to a rotating side-viewing endoscopic probe for high speed (10 mm/s) intraluminal imaging of the entire mucosal surface (50-80 mm) of freshly excised mice colons. Current results demonstrate that tissue autofluorescence lifetime was sensitive to the colon anatomy and the colonocyte layer. Moreover, mice under DSS-induced colitis and 5-ASA treatments showed changes in lifetime values that were qualitatively related to inflammatory markers consistent with alterations in epithelial bioenergetics (switch between ß-oxidation and aerobic glycolysis) and physical structure (colon length). This study demonstrates the ability of intraluminal FLIm to image mucosal lifetime changes in response to inflammatory treatments and supports the development of FLIm as an in vivo imaging technique for monitoring the onset, progression, and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

PET Imaging of System xC - in Immune Cells for Assessment of Disease Activity in Mice and Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

We aimed to explore whether the imaging of antiporter system xC - of immune cells with (4S)-4-(3-18F-fluoropropyl)-l-glutamate (18F-FSPG) PET can assess inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity in murine models and patients (NCT03546868). Methods: 18F-FSPG PET imaging was performed to assess IBD activity in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced and adoptive T-cell transfer-induced IBD and a cohort of 20 patients at a tertiary care center in South Korea. Immunohistochemical analysis of system xC - and cell surface markers was also studied. Results: Mice with experimental IBD showed increased intestinal 18F-FSPG uptake and xCT expression in cells positive (+) for CD11c, F4/80, and CD3 in the lamina propria, increases positively associated with clinical and pathologic disease activity. 18F-FSPG PET studies in patients, most of whom were clinically in remission or had mildly active IBD, showed that PET imaging was sufficiently accurate in diagnosing endoscopically active IBD and remission in patients and bowel segments. 18F-FSPG PET correctly identified all 9 patients with superficial or deep ulcers. Quantitative intestinal 18F-FSPG uptake was strongly associated with endoscopic indices of IBD activity. The number of CD68+xCT+ and CD3+xCT+ cells in 22 bowel segments from patients with ulcerative colitis and the number of CD68+xCT+ cells in 7 bowel segments from patients with Crohn disease showed a significant positive association with endoscopic indices of IBD activity. Conclusion: The assessment of system xC - in immune cells may provide diagnostic information on the immune responses responsible for chronic active inflammation in IBD. 18F-FSPG PET imaging of system xC - activity may noninvasively assess the IBD activity.

Interrater reliability of the assessment of disease activity by gastrointestinal ultrasound in a prospective cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal ultrasound is a radiological investigation for monitoring patients with inflammatory bowel disease. However, the reliability of the findings depends on the reproducibility of results between different operators. Thus, the study aim was to assess the interrater reliability of gastrointestinal ultrasound in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease between gastroenterologists with varying GIUS experience. . METHODS: Patients were prospectively recruited at the commencement of a new medical therapy for a baseline assessment, with a second assessment at the end of treatment induction (3 months). Consecutive, blinded ultrasounds were performed by two operators for every test. Gastrointestinal ultrasound examination included assessment of bowel wall thickness, vascularity, wall stratification assessment, mesenteric hyperechogenicity and lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were recruited (Crohn's n = 27, ulcerative colitis n = 22) with 35 returning for a repeat assessment at 3 months. At baseline, the intraclass coefficient for bowel wall thickness was near perfect (0.882). By bowel segment, the closest correlation was in the terminal ileum and differences in bowel wall thickness were similar by disease subtype. All other ultrasound indices of disease activity demonstrated substantial to near-perfect agreement with Gwet's agreement coefficient: vascularity (0.681), wall stratification (0.685), mesenteric hyperechogenicity (0.841) and lymphadenopathy (0.633). Similar findings were seen at 3 months. CONCLUSION: There is substantial agreement between operators of varying experience in gastrointestinal ultrasound findings in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and this is repeatedly demonstrated over time. Thus, a well-trained operator should be sufficient to assess disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Color Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Clinical Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are two varieties of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Clinicians need a monitoring technique in the IBD. The disease activity can be assessed with endoscopy, activity indexes, and imaging techniques. Color Doppler US (CDUS) is also a non-invasive, radiation, and contrast material free examination which shows the intramural blood flow. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of B-mode, CDUS, and a newly developed software Color Quantification (CQ) to determine the activity of the IBD. METHODS: The disease activity was assessed by clinical activity indexes. Caecum, terminal ileum, ascending colon, transverse colon, and descending colon were evaluated by B-mode, CDUS, and the CQ. Bowel wall thickness (BWT), loss of bowel stratification, loss of haustration, and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes, mesenteric masses, abscesses, fistula, visual vascular signal patterns of the bowel as "hypo and hyper-flow" and the CQ values were investigated. BWT was compared with laboratory results and clinical activities. Vascular signal patterns and the CQ values were compared with BWT and clinical activity. The diagnostic performances of the CQ were investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients with IBD were evaluated. Patients with increased BWT at the transverse colon had an increased frequency of "hyper-flow" pattern. Clinically active patients had an increased incidence of "hyper-flow" pattern at the terminal ileum, ascending colon, and whole segments. They had increased CQ values at the terminal ileum, ascending colon, and descending colon, and whole segments. A cut-off value for the CQ (24.7%) was obtained at the terminal ileum. In the diagnostic performances of CQ, we observed utilities significantly at the ascending colon, descending colon, terminal ileum, and whole segments. There was a positive correlation between the CQ values and BWT at the caecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, and descending colon. CONCLUSION: Increased visual vascular signal scores and CQ values might be useful for monitoring the disease activity in patients with IBD.

Sonographic assessment of inflammatory bowel disease in the emergency department: A case series and review of the literature.

The use of sonography for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported in the radiology literature but is not common practice in the hands of emergency physicians (EPs). We present a series of three cases where IBD was managed by an EP using point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS), and discuss the sonographic features of IBD including bowel wall thickening, increased blood flow on color Doppler, infiltration of surrounding fatty tissue, and presence of intraperitoneal fluid. Complications such as bowel strictures and peri-colic abscess are also described. We suggest that the use of POCUS for the assessment of IBD patients in the ED may expedite both diagnosis and treatment, as well as minimize the use of additional imaging.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Which IBD Patients Need to Be Scoped-Who Gets Scoped Now, Who Can Wait, and how to Resume to Normal.

Endoscopy is an essential component in the management of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. There is a risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during endoscopic procedures. The International Organization for the study of IBD [IOIBD] has developed 11 position statements, based on an online survey, that focus on how to prioritise endoscopies in IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, alternative modes for disease monitoring, and ways to triage the high number of postponed endoscopies after the pandemic. We propose to pre-screen patients for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and test for SARS-CoV-2 before endoscopy if available. High priority endoscopies during pandemic include acute gastrointestinal bleed, acute severe ulcerative colitis, new IBD diagnosis, cholangitis in primary sclerosing cholangitis, and partial bowel obstruction. Alternative modes of monitoring using clinical symptoms, serum inflammatory markers, and faecal calprotectin should be considered during the pandemic. Prioritising access to endoscopy in the post-pandemic period should be guided by control of COVID-19 in the local community and availability of manpower and personal protective equipment. Endoscopy should be considered within 3 months after the pandemic for patients with a past history of dysplasia and endoscopic resection for dysplastic lesion. Endoscopy should be considered 3-6 months after the pandemic for assessment of postoperative recurrence or new biologic initiation. Endoscopy can be postponed until after 6 months of pandemic for routine IBD surveillance and assessment of mucosal healing.

Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Contrast Agents for Assessment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background and Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has taken an important role in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In the wake of current advances in nanotechnology, the drug delivery industry has seen a surge of nanoparticles advertising high specificity in target imaging. Given the rapid development of the field, this review has assembled related articles to explore whether molecular contrast agents can improve the diagnostic capability on gastrointestinal imaging, especially for IBD. Methods: Relevant articles published between 1998 and 2018 from a literature search of PubMed and EMBASE were reviewed. Data extraction was performed on the studies' characteristics, experimental animals, modelling methods, nanoparticles type, magnetic resonance methods, and means of quantitative analysis. Results: A total of 8 studies were identified wherein the subjects were animals, and all studies employed MR equipment. One group utilized a perfluorocarbon solution and the other 7 groups used either magnetic nanoparticles or gadolinium- (Gd-) related nanoparticles for molecular contrast. With ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) particles and Gd-related nanoparticles, signal enhancements were found in the mucosa or with focal lesion of IBD-related model in T1-weighted images (T1WI), whereas superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles showed a signal decrease in the intestinal wall of the model in T1WI or T2-weighted images. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was employed to analyze bowel intensity in 3 studies. And the percentage of normalized enhancement was used in 1 study for assessing the severity of inflammation. Conclusion: Molecular MRI with contrast agents can improve the early diagnosis of IBD and quantitate the severity of inflammation in experimental studies.

Beyond Crohn Disease: Current Role of Radiologists in Diagnostic Imaging Assessment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a rising prevalence in children and an increasing number of adults living with IBD were diagnosed in childhood. This chronic disorder requires frequent cross-sectional imaging for evaluating disease progression. Radiologists must be vigilant to detect and understand imaging manifestations of acute and chronic, alimentary, and extraintestinal findings of IBD. This article discusses the role of imaging in evaluation of IBD transitioning from pediatric to adult patients. Imaging modalities and techniques used for evaluating IBD are reviewed. Characteristic acute and chronic imaging findings of IBD are discussed with emphasis on what radiologists need to clearly understand.

Ultrasonographic and clinical assessment of peripheral enthesitis and arthritis in an Italian cohort of inflammatory bowel disease patients.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of clinical and ultrasonographic musculoskeletal involvement in Italian patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, 148 consecutive patients with IBD were evaluated by a gastroenterologist and a rheumatologist. All patients underwent a B-mode and power Doppler ultrasonographic examination of 6 pairs of entheses and of knee and ankle joints. RESULTS: A positive history for at least one musculoskeletal manifestation was reported by 40.5% of patients, more frequently in ulcerative colitis (UC) (p = 0.033). Inflammatory back pain was reported by 13.5% of patients, and a past history of peripheral arthritis by 14.9%, entheseal inflammation by 14.2% and dactylitis by 2.7%. At clinical examination, arthritis was observed in 19.6% of patients and enthesitis in 33%. Oligoarthritis and enthesitis at clinical examination were more frequently observed in UC than in Crohn disease (CD). 37.8% of total IBD patients fulfilled ASAS classification criteria for axial and/or peripheral spondyloarthritis, 8.1% ASAS classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis, and 29.7% ASAS classification criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis. With ultrasonographic examination, signs of entheseal involvement were observed in 87.8% of patients, while at power Doppler, ≥1 abnormality was observed in 27.1%. ASAS+ patients compared to those ASAS- had a significantly higher frequency at ultrasonography of acute entheseal abnormalities, power Doppler entheseal positivity and joint involvement. These abnormalities at ultrasonography were also observed in 34%, 13% and 12% of ASAS- patients. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal manifestations occur frequently in patients with IBD. Ultrasonographic entheseal and joint involvement were also observed in asymptomatic patients.

Findings of CT-Derived Bone Strength Assessment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Undergoing CT Enterography in Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at risk of developing complications from metabolic bone disease, but the exact prevalence is unknown. We evaluated fracture risk in IBD patients using (1) biomechanical CT analysis (BCT) using bone strength and bone mineral density (BMD), (2) Cornerstone guidelines, and (3) other clinical features predicting fracture risk. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive IBD patients who underwent CT enterography (CTE) with BCT from March 2014 to March 2017 was performed. Measured outcomes were overall fracture risk classification (not increased, increased, or high) and femoral neck BMD World Health Organization classification (normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis). RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-seven patients with IBD underwent CTE and BCT. Fracture risk was classified as not increased in 45.5% (116/255) of patients, increased in 44.7% (114/255), and high in 9.8% (25/255). Femoral neck BMD was classified as normal in 56.8% (142/250), osteopenia in 37.6% (94/250), and osteoporosis in 5.6% (14/250). In multivariate analysis, only increasing age was associated with increased fracture risk (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.08; P < 0.001). Cornerstone guidelines were met by 35.3% (41/116), 56.1% (64/114), and 76.0% (19/25) of patients in the not increased, increased, and high-risk groups, respectively (P = 0.0001). No Cornerstone criteria were met by 40% (56/139) of patients in the increased and high-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: Using BCT, increased or high fracture risk was detected in more than half of this cohort, the prevalence being associated with increased age. A significant proportion of patients with increased or high fracture risk did not meet Cornerstone guidelines. Therefore, IBD patients who do not meet Cornerstone guidelines may benefit from BCT screening.

Quantitative Analysis of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient for Disease Assessment in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cut-off value to classify active and non-active lesions in inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: We reviewed 167 paediatric magnetic resonance enterographies executed for suspected inflammatory bowel disease by using a 1.5- and 3-T scanner. We assessed the presence and activity of the disease by using morphologic and functional parameters such as the ADC. Each patient could have more than 1 examinations. Quantitative assessment of disease activity in the ADC map was measured placing 3 regions of interest in the areas of highest inflammation and the mean value was calculated, patients without sign of inflammation were assessed at 2 standardised site. Ileocolonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, surgery, and video-capsule endoscopy were used as standards of reference. RESULTS: We enrolled 34 patients and 35 examinations: radiological findings of disease were identified in 29 examinations and 44 lesions were detected. Six patients had negative results and ADC assessment was taken at the terminal ileum and cecum. A total of 56 bowel segments were included in the study. Image analysis revealed 39 active lesions (69.6%) and their ADC values were lower compared to the ones of non-active segments. For each scanner a cut-off value was found (sensitivity: 0.91, specificity: 0.89 for 1.5 T and 0.81 for 3 T). Inter-rater agreement on disease activity between ADC values and magnetic resonance enterography results and between ADC values and the standard of reference were very good. CONCLUSIONS: ADC can provide a scanner-based quantitative measurement of disease activity.

Evaluation of noncontrast MR enterography for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease assessment.

BACKGROUND: Gadolinium deposition in normal tissues is being increasingly recognized. Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergo frequent imaging with contrast-enhanced MR enterography (MRE). PURPOSE: To determine the impact of intravenous (IV) gadolinium in assessment of pediatric IBD by MRE. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective, case series. POPULATION: Radiology information system was searched to identify all children who underwent MRE and endoscopy within 30 days in 2016. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5T and 3T. ASSESSMENT: Imaging studies were evaluated for bowel inflammation interpreted by two blinded radiologists in two sessions 6 weeks apart (session 1 pre-MRE; session 2 pre/postcontrast-MRE). Endoscopic histology was the reference standard. STATISTICAL TESTS: A logistic regression model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics curves and expressed by c-statistics. Agreement between readers was evaluated using Cohen's or weighted kappa statistic, as appropriate. Two-sided P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics were used for assessment of IBD complications. RESULTS: In all, 52 children (46% female), mean age 13.2 (SD 3.42) years formed the study cohort. 77% (40/52) had inflammation on endoscopic biopsy. Pre/post-MRE showed no significant increase in the c-statistic compared to pre-MRE for assessment of small bowel (Reader 1 P = 0.56, Reader 2 P = 1.00) or large bowel inflammation (Reader 1 P = 0.42, Reader 2 P = 1.00)). Intravenous contrast showed no improvement in interobserver agreement for assessment of inflammation in small (kappa 0.92 pre-MRE, 0.88 pre/post-MRE) or large bowel (kappa 0.83 pre-MRE, 0.73 pre/post-MRE). IV contrast had no meaningful impact on interobserver agreement for length of small bowel inflamed (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.90 pre-MRE, 0.95 pre/post-MRE). Assessment of IBD complications was improved with IV contrast, with 3/5 cases with perianal penetrating disease not recognized on pre-MRE. DATA CONCLUSION: Routine administration of IV gadolinium has no impact on the assessment of bowel inflammation. However, there is potential for missing perianal complications using a noncontrast MRE protocol without dedicated pelvic imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:341-348.