What is the significance of the degree of bowel wall enhancement in inflammatory bowel disease?
Mural hyperenhancement is the most sensitive finding of active inflammatory bowel disease, best depicted following administration of negative oral contrast material along with intravenous contrast material on CT enterography (CTE) or magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). This results in accentuation of the “target” sign on contrast-enhanced images, as the inner ring of mucosa appears even more bright relative to the dark submucosal layer. Mild or no increased enhancement is present in the setting of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. For this reason, the degree of mural enhancement can be used to guide management.
