Diffusion-weighted MRI in Crohn's disease: Current status and recommendations

Over the past years, technological improvements and refinements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hardware have made high-quality diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) routinely possible for the bowel. DWI is promising for the detection and characterization of lesions in Crohn's disease (CD) and has been advocated as an alternative to intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agents. Furthermore, quantification using the apparent diffusion coefficient may have value as a biomarker of CD activity and has shown promise. In this article we critically review the literature pertaining to the value of DWI in CD for detection, characterization, and quantification of disease activity and complications. Although the body of supportive evidence is growing, it is clear that well-designed, multicenter studies are required before the role of DWI in clinical practice can be fully established. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1381-1396.