http://www.appliedradiology.com RSS Feed on Applied Radiologyhttp://www.appliedradiology.com//Issues/2002/09/Supplements/Gadolinium-Enhanced-MRI-of-Crohn-s-Disease.aspx<P>Crohn's disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It can occur anywhere in the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but involves the distal ileum in about 35% of cases, the right colon in about 35%, and the gastroduodenal area and small bowel in about 5% of cases each. In 20% of cases, only the colon is affected. <SUP>1</SUP> <P>The etiology of Crohn's disease is unclear but may include immunologic and bacterial factors. The symptoms, which can be quite debilitating, range from cramping and abdominal pain to diarrhea; fever; weight loss; bloating; and anal discomfort, bleeding and drainage. Rectal fissures are quite common, as are skin lesions and other extraintestinal complications, such as joint pain. <SUP>1</SUP> </P> </P>Sunday, 29 Sep 2002 14:54:23 GMT