MR Enteroclysis MR enteroclysis appears to compare favorably with CT enteroclysis in evaluating a low-grade obstruction [66], although neither MR enteroclysis nor CT enteroclysis are in wide use because patients are often unable to tolerate the degree of small-bowel distension necessary. The ability of MR enteroclysis to monitor small-bowel filling in real-time without the use of ionizing radiation is an advantage over fluoroscopic and CT enteroclysis. Children and, particularly, pregnant patients with known or suspected SBO, as well as younger patients with repetitive episodes of obstruction, are the ideal population to undergo MRI. In pregnant patients, only noncontrast sequences are obtained. In other patients, MR enteroclysis can be performed either as an IV-contrast enhanced study or a noncontrast study. MR Enterography MR enterography may be superior to routine MRI examinations and is better accepted by patients than MR enteroclysis. To our knowledge; however, little data are available on comparing MR enterography with other imaging examinations in patients with a suspected SBO. MRI Abdomen and Pelvis Increasing evidence supports the role of MRI for detecting and characterizing SBO. The use of fast multiplanar pulse sequences such as half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo and balanced gradient-echo sequences allow for functional assessment of the distensibility of strictures. Without optimized bowel preparation, bowel loops at MR with standard protocol (ie, without bowel distension) may be unremarkable at intermittent or low-grade obstructions. Radiography Abdomen and Pelvis Abdominal radiography has been the traditional starting point for the imaging evaluation of suspected SBO [68]. However, studies testing the use of abdominal radiographs have yielded disparate results [4,5,18,69].
Suspected Small Bowel Obstruction. MR Enteroclysis MR enteroclysis appears to compare favorably with CT enteroclysis in evaluating a low-grade obstruction [66], although neither MR enteroclysis nor CT enteroclysis are in wide use because patients are often unable to tolerate the degree of small-bowel distension necessary. The ability of MR enteroclysis to monitor small-bowel filling in real-time without the use of ionizing radiation is an advantage over fluoroscopic and CT enteroclysis. Children and, particularly, pregnant patients with known or suspected SBO, as well as younger patients with repetitive episodes of obstruction, are the ideal population to undergo MRI. In pregnant patients, only noncontrast sequences are obtained. In other patients, MR enteroclysis can be performed either as an IV-contrast enhanced study or a noncontrast study. MR Enterography MR enterography may be superior to routine MRI examinations and is better accepted by patients than MR enteroclysis. To our knowledge; however, little data are available on comparing MR enterography with other imaging examinations in patients with a suspected SBO. MRI Abdomen and Pelvis Increasing evidence supports the role of MRI for detecting and characterizing SBO. The use of fast multiplanar pulse sequences such as half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo and balanced gradient-echo sequences allow for functional assessment of the distensibility of strictures. Without optimized bowel preparation, bowel loops at MR with standard protocol (ie, without bowel distension) may be unremarkable at intermittent or low-grade obstructions. Radiography Abdomen and Pelvis Abdominal radiography has been the traditional starting point for the imaging evaluation of suspected SBO [68]. However, studies testing the use of abdominal radiographs have yielded disparate results [4,5,18,69].