Multi-detector CT enterography in active inflammatory bowel disease: Image quality and diagnostic efficacy of a low-radiation high contrast protocol

Materials and methods: Eighty-five (36M; 49F; 1775 yrs) patients with active IBD underwent contrast-enhanced CTE and were stratified in two groups according to age (< or >= 45 yrs): Group A (N = 45; 32 +/- 9 yrs; 58 +/- 10 kg) and Group B (N = 40; 58 +/- 10 yrs; 61 +/- 13 kg). Each group received a different amount of radiation (Noise Index, NI) and non-ionic iodinated contrast media (LOCM) as follows: Group A (NI = 15; 2.5 ml/kg) and Group B (NI = 12.5; 2 ml/kg). Thyroid functional tests were performed in all patients of group A at 4-6 wks. Signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated for liver (L) and abdominal aorta (A). Statistical analysis was performed by Student's t- or Chi-square test for continuous and categorical data, respectively.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate image quality and diagnostic efficacy of a low radiation-high contrast (LR-HC) CT Enterography (CTE) in active Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).