Colonic Ultrasonography Is Useful for Monitoring Ulcerative Colitis

Ultrasound with color Doppler achieved 90% concordance with endoscopy in determining extent of disease during flare-ups.

Monitoring the degree of inflammation and severity of disease in chronic relapsing ulcerative colitis (UC) currently requires repeated colonoscopies. Investigators in Italy prospectively evaluated the use of colonic ultrasonography (CUS) with color Doppler (without bowel preparation) versus colonoscopy by performing CUS the day prior to colonoscopy in 50 consecutive children with suspected UC flare-up.

CUS examination by an experienced gastroenterologist yielded 90% concordance with colonoscopy regarding site of disease. CUS was used to determine bowel wall thickness >3 mm, increased vascularity, loss of haustra coli, and loss of stratification of the bowel wall. A predictive scoring system was developed in which the presence of more than tw…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Colonic Ultrasonography Is Useful for Monitoring Ulcerative Colitis

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Reviewing Author