The aim was to compare bowel distension and diagnostic properties of magnetic resonance imaging of the small bowel with oral contrast (MRI per OS) with magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE). Forty patients with suspected Crohn's disease (CD) were examined with both MRI methods. MRI per OS was performed with a 6% mannitol solution and MRE with nasojejunal intubation and a polyethylenglycol solution. MRI protocol consisted of balanced fast field echo (B-FFE), T2 and T1 sequences with and without gadolinium. Two experienced radiologists individually evaluated bowel distension and pathological findings including wall thickness (BWT), contrast enhancement (BWE), ulcer (BWU), stenosis (BWS) and edema (EDM). The diameter of the small bowel was smaller with MRI per OS than with MRE (difference jejunum: 0.55 cm, p < 0.001; ileum: 0.35 cm, p < 0.001, terminal ileum: 0.09 cm, p = 0.08). However, CD was diagnosed with high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values: MRI per OS 88%, 89%, 89%, 89%; MRE 88%, 84%, 82%, 89%) and inter-observer agreement (MRI per OS k = 0.95; MRE k = 1). In conclusion, bowel distension was inferior in MRI per OS compared to MRE. However, both methods diagnosed CD with a high diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility.

The current protocol and ongoing study could represent a possible strategy to increase the availability of liver transplantation to patients with nonresectable liver tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases.

Summary Chronic allograft nephropathy characterized by interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy is a major cause of renal transplant failure. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) quantification is a promising noninvasive method for assessing tissue stiffness. We evaluated if the method could reveal renal transplant fibrosis. In a prospective study, 30 adult renal transplant recipients were included. ARFI quantification, given as shear wave velocity (SWV), of the renal cortex was performed by two observers. SWV was compared to grade of fibrosis (0–3) in biopsies. The median SWV was 2.8 m/s (range: 1.6–3.6), 2.6 m/s (range: 1.8–3.5) and 2.5 m/s (range: 1.6–3) for grade 0 (n = 12), 1 (n = 10) and grades 2/3 (n = 8) fibrosis respectively. SWV did not differ significantly in transplants without and with fibrosis (grade 0 vs. grade 1, P = 0.53 and grade 0 vs. grades 2/3, P = 0.11). The mean intraobserver coefficient of variation was 22% for observer 1 and 24% for observer 2. Interobserver agreement, expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.31 (95% CI: −0.03 to 0.60). This study does not support the use of ARFI quantification to assess low‐grade fibrosis in renal transplants. ARFI quantification in its present stage of development has also high intra‐ and interobserver variation in renal transplants.

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and frequency of complications of lung biopsy procedures with or without CTF guidance of needle insertion. Records and images of 99 consecutive percutaneous coaxial cutting needle lung biopsy procedures performed on 85 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-seven and 42 procedures had been done with and without CTF guidance, respectively. Histological results were compared to diagnosis after surgery or after a follow-up period of 12 months. Diagnostic accuracy and the occurrence of pneumothorax and/or bleeding related to the procedures were registered. The level of accuracy of the diagnosis was comparable. The diagnostic accuracy was 96% (50/52) and 95% (34/36) sensitivity 95% (35/37) and 93% (26/28), specificity 100% (15/15) and 100% (8/8) with CTF and conventional CT techniques, respectively. There were fewer post procedure pneumothoraces using the CTF than conventional technique [26% (15/57) vs. 38% (16/42)], but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.274). The insertion of a chest tube was required in only one (2%) procedure using the CTF technique, while this was needed in four (10%) using the conventional technique. Small or large hemorrhages occurred in 23% of the procedures, with no apparent difference between the two groups. In conclusion, CTF-guided biopsy of lung lesions provides high diagnostic accuracy, comparable to that of conventional CT-guided procedures, with a low rate of complications, even for small tumors.

• Acoustic radiation force impulses (ARFI) can quantify tissue elasticity during ultrasound examinations. • Elasticity estimated by ARFI in kidney transplants depends on applied transducer force. • ARFI quantification cannot detect renal allograft fibrosis. • ARFI elasticity estimates may in general vary with applied transducer force.