Overview of the Large Bowel Assessment using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Different Techniques for Current and Emerging Clinical Applications

Title:Overview of the Large Bowel Assessment using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Different Techniques for Current and Emerging Clinical Applications

Volume: 18

Author(s): Giuseppe Cicero*, Giorgio Ascenti, Alfredo Blandino, Christian Booz, Thomas J. Vogl, Renato Trimarchi, Tommaso D'Angelo and Silvio Mazziotti

Affiliation:

• Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Policlinico “G. Martino” Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100, Messina, Italy

Keywords: Radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, large bowel, colon, intestinal disorders, colonic malignancies.

Abstract: Radiological assessments of the small and large bowel are essential in daily clinical practice. Over X-ray plain films and ultrasound, cross-sectional techniques are considered the most comprehensive imaging modalities. "Cross-sectional techniques" refers to CT and MRI, as stated in the following sentence. In fact, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging take great advantage of the three-dimensional appraisal and the extensive evaluation of the abdominal cavity, allowing intestinal evaluation as well as detection of extra-intestinal findings. In this context, the chief advantage of computed tomography is the fast scan time, which is crucial for emergency cases. Nonetheless, it is undeniably impaired using ionizing radiation. As the awareness of radiation exposure is a topic of increasing importance, magnetic resonance imaging is not only becoming a mere alternative but also a primary imaging technique used in assessing intestinal diseases. Specifically, the evaluation of the large bowel through MRI can still be considered relatively uncharted territory. Although it has demonstrated superior accuracy in the assessment of some clinical entities from inflammatory bowel disease to rectal carcinoma, its role needs to be consolidated in many other conditions. Moreover, different technical methods can be applied for colonic evaluation depending on the specific disease and segment involved. This article aims to provide a thorough overview of the techniques that can be utilized in the evaluation of the large bowel and a discussion on the major findings in different colonic pathologies of primary interest.

Cite this article as:

Cicero Giuseppe*, Ascenti Giorgio, Blandino Alfredo, Booz Christian, Vogl J. Thomas, Trimarchi Renato, D'Angelo Tommaso and Mazziotti Silvio, Overview of the Large Bowel Assessment using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Different Techniques for Current and Emerging Clinical Applications, Current Medical Imaging 2022; 18 (10) : e310322202892 . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573405618666220331111237

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573405618666220331111237	Print ISSN 1573-4056
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1875-6603