Initial Abdominal CT and Laboratory Findings Prior to Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease in Children.

PURPOSE

To identify initial abdominal computed tomography (CT) and laboratory findings prior to a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients (≤18 year-old) who were diagnosed with CD from 2004 to 2019 and had abdominal CT just prior to being diagnosed with CD were included in the CD group. Patients (≤18 years old) who were diagnosed with infectious enterocolitis from 2018 to 2019 and had undergone CT prior to being diagnosed with enterocolitis were included as a control group. We assessed the diagnostic performances of initial CT and laboratory findings for the diagnosis of CD using logistic regression and the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

In total, 107 patients (50 CD patients, 57 control patients) were included, without an age difference between groups (median 13 years old vs. 11 years old, =0.119). On univariate logistic regression analysis, multisegmental bowel involvement, mesenteric vessel engorgement, higher portal vein/aorta diameter ratio, longer liver longitudinal diameter, lower hemoglobin (≤12.5 g/dL), lower albumin (≤4 g/dL), and higher platelet (>320×10/µL) levels were significant factors for CD. On multivariate analysis, multisegmental bowel involvement [odds ratio (OR) 111.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.778-2605.925] and lower albumin levels (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.891-0.993) were significant factors. When these two features were combined, the AUC value was 0.985 with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 100% for differentiating CD.

CONCLUSION

Multisegmental bowel involvement on CT and decreased albumin levels can help differentiate CD from infectious enterocolitis in children prior to a definite diagnosis of CD.