Keywords:
Gastrointestinal tract, MR, Experimental investigations, Obstruction / Occlusion
Authors:
F. Iacobellis, D. Berritto, F. Somma, M. P. Belfiore, S. Cappabianca, A. Rotondo, R. Grassi; Naples/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/B-0199
Conclusion
This study,
based on an animal model of SBO,
was designed to define a chronological characterization of SBO,
to compare anatomopathological features with the 7T micro-MR findings and to investigate the possible advantages of MR in the diagnostic approach of SBO.
This is the first study using a 7T micro-MR for the instrumental evaluation of a reproduced human disease in a rat animal model.
This study allows to define the early MRI features of bowel occlusion and their chronological evolution,
also confirmed by anatomopathological exam.
The early findings of SBO were represented at MRI by hyperintensity of the injured bowel and progressive dilation of the proximal loops,
associated with an increase of free fluid.
It is possible to hypothesize a parallelism with the human pathology and so to suggest a future more important role of MR imaging in the early diagnostic assessment and management of patients with small bowel obstruction.
The chance to achieve an early detection of bowel injury and to correlate the histological pattern with imaging findings could address toward a finer and earlier diagnosis and a more effective treatment.