Does hydro-MRI allow on assessment of the activity in Crohn's disease?

To assess the value of hydro-MRI in the assessment of the activity of Crohn 's disease. Materials and Methods: after an oral bowel opacification using 1000 ml of a 2,5% mannitol solution, axial and coronal breathhold sequences (T2W HASTE+/-FS, contrast-enhanced T1W FLASH FS) were acquired in 63 patie nts with Crohn's disease at 1.0T. The enhancement of the bowel wall was cor related with other MRI findings, with the Crohn's disease activity index (C DAI), and the C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: In Crohn's disease, contra st enhancement of the affected bowel wall is markedly increased in comparis on with the normal bowel wall (+80+/-23% vs, +43+/-11%; p=8x10(-11)). Posit ive correlations could be established between the increase of bowel wall en hancement and other MRI findings, Between the increase of bowel wall enhanc ement and the CDAI a poor correlation was found (r=0.25; p=0.046). There wa s no statistical correlation between the increase of bowel wall enhancement and the CRP (r=0.09; p=0.24). Conclusion: Hydro-MRI allows an assessment o f the activity of Crohn's disease.