Sonographic Findings in a Case of Crohn Disease

Abstract

Crohn disease (CD) is an immune-induced inflammation of all layers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can potentially affect any area of the GI tract from the esophagus to the anus, it predominantly affects the small bowel at the terminal ileum and the colon. It typically occurs in younger patients in their teens and 20s, although diagnosis has been seen as young as age 5 and in patients older than 40. 1,2 There is evidence that the incidence of CD is rising worldwide, particularly in the pediatric popuation. 3,4 Crohn disease is incurable and requires frequent follow-up with diagnostic imaging because it features unpredictable periods of active disease and, when active, has serious complications. Sonography has become an important aid in the diagnosis of CD as well as monitoring the disease process.