Computed tomography in Crohn's disease.

Computed tomography, barium examinations, and endoscopy play complementary roles in documenting the extent of disease in patients with Crohn's disease. Computed tomography is most often requested for patients with suspected or known intraabdominal or pelvic abscesses. In addition to documenting the presence and extent of abscess formation, other pathological processes in patients with Crohn's disease, may be demonstrated on computed tomography scans. These include thickening and/or contrast enhancement of inflamed bowel wall, inflammatory changes in the mesenteric and perirectal fat, and fistulous tract formation.