Activity of Crohn's disease assessed by colour Doppler ultrasound analysisof the affected loops

The aim of this study was to evaluate with colour Doppler ultrasound the va scular changes in the wall of the loops affected by Crohn's disease, and to establish whether these changes reflects clinical or biochemical activity of Crohn's disease. Seventy-nine patients with Crohn's disease (44 with act ive disease and 35 inactive patients) were studied with frequency- and ampl itude-encoded duplex Doppler sonography. A group of 35 healthy volunteers w ere also included. The exam consisted of the search for colour signals in t he walls of the loops affected by Crohn's disease, classifying the degree o f vascularity with a simple scoring system into three groups: absence of co lour signal (score of 0); weak or scattered colour signals (score of 1); an d multiple colour signals or clear identification of vessels in the loops w alls (score of 2). Doppler curves were obtained of the detected vessels wit h measurement of the resistive index (RI). There was a visible increase in the gut walls' vascularity in the active patients compared with those with inactive disease. The mean RI was statistically significantly lower in the gut wall vessels of the patients with active illness than that obtained in the inactive patients. Colour Doppler ultrasound is a useful tool in the as sessment of activity in Crohn's disease.