Radiologic images of complications of Crohn's disease

Abstract

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that may occur in the alimentary tract and has various clinical courses. It is characterized by several complications, including bowel strictures, bowel obstruction, fistulas, abscesses, and hydronephroureterosis. Each complication is related to adjacent bowel involvement in Crohn’s disease, and other complications can require surgical or interventional treatment. Patients with Crohn’s disease who develop intra-abdominal abscess tend to suffer from recurrent intra-abdominal abscess during the follow-up period. Intra-abdominal abscess can often develop at the fistula site. Bowel stricture due to Crohn’s disease leads to bowel obstruction. Radiologic examinations, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, play an essential role in evaluating disease severity and complications in patients with Crohn’s disease.