Paediatric Crohn's disease: a radiological review

Paediatric Crohn's disease can be a serious complex condition which is not always easy to diagnose if it presents in an atypical manner. Although the pathological processes are the same in adults and children, the clinical pr esentation and disease distribution can be different in children. The impac t of the disease can also be much more significant in a ng and developing c hild than in an adult. Numerous investigations are available to establish t he diagnosis, define the complications and to demonstrate the extra-intesti nal manifestations. Close cooperation when investigating a child suspected of having Crohn's disease or its symptoms to minimise the radian-dose and t he psychological and physical trauma. We review the clinical and radiologic al aspects of Crohn's disease and discuss the imaging modalities; able in d iagnosing Crohn's disease and its complications and suggest an investigatio n pathway as used in our institution.