CT enterography The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in 2015 was approximately 1.3% of US adults or more than 3 million Americans aged 45 years and older. And the percentage is likely to increase in the following years. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are health conditions that involve chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. This can be imaged and diagnosed by MRI Enterography and CT Enterography.  

Who is at risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Based on the data and statistics, the following are at risk of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

  • Genetics or family history
  • Cigarette smoking
  • People taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and others
  • Environment

People who are living in a more industrialized country, who have a diet rich in fat and refined foods are of greater risk of developing IBD. The most common types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

The percentage of prevalence is quite alarming especially with the sophisticated technology that is now present in the world of medicine.  Crohn’s disease, for instance, is caused by the inflammation and irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the end part of the small intestine called the terminal ileum. Though Crohn’s disease is not that fatal, it may lead to deaths if left untreated and without proper medical care.  So, what are some indications that someone is already having the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease? Fortunately, MRI Enterography and CT Enterography can help make the diagnosis and measure the extent of the illness. 

How does MRI Enterography and CT Enterography help in diagnosing IBD?

Magnetic Resonance Enterography at The Radiology Clinic is a high-resolution noninvasive imaging test that allows your doctor to see a clearer picture of your small and large intestines. It allows the board-certified radiologists at The Radiology Clinic to determine if there is inflammation, blockages, and other abnormalities in your intestines as well as the exact location of the abnormalities. This is a radiation-free test which makes it recommended especially for young patients. 

Computed Tomography Enterography or CT Enterography, on the other hand, is an imaging test that uses CT imagery and a contrast material in order to view the small intestine. It is a combination of an oral and IV contrast with high-resolution x-ray imaging, resulting in a very detailed image of the intestines. The test allows your doctor to identify any problems, like inflammation, bleeding, and Crohn’s disease, and allow allows the radiologist to determine the exact location within the bowel. CT Enterography helps doctors visualize the entire thickness of the bowel wall.  

The advantage of MRI Enterography and CT Enterography is that it helps doctors obtain a clearer view and better-quality images of what is beyond the mucosal layer or the innermost layer of the intestine. Thus, they will be able to determine if the patient has any bowel-related inflammatory complications more efficiently. 

Please contact The Radiology Clinic in Rockville, MD, to learn more information and to schedule an appointment at 301-217-0500.