Expert forum

Research progress on noninvasive quantitative diagnosis of intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease

  • ZHANG Pingxin ,
  • YANG Jie ,
  • WANG Yangdi ,
  • CHEN Minhu ,
  • LI Xuehua ,
  • MAO Ren
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  • 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Wuhan 430071, China
    2. Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang Hospital, Guangdong Shenzhen 518052, China
    3. Department of Gastroente-rology, 3b.Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Guangzhou 510080, China

Received date: 2025-05-22

  Revised date: 2025-07-10

  Accepted date: 2025-08-05

  Online published: 2025-09-09

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease with complex etiology, often accompanied by progressive intestinal fibrosis during its course, which can ultimately lead to severe complications such as luminal stricture, obstruction, and fistula. The development of intestinal fibrosis is irreversible and shows limited response to anti-inflammatory therapies. Therefore, early identification and precise quantitative assessment of intestinal fibrosis are crucial for optimizing therapeutic strategies, delaying disease progression, reducing surgical risks, and improving long-term prognosis. In recent years, with the rapid development of imaging technologies, multiple noninvasive diagnostic modalities—including computed tomography enterography (CTE), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), intestinal ultrasound (IUS), and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT/PET-MRE have become increasingly mature in clinical application. By integrating multidimensional approaches such as structural parameters, functional imaging, elastography, and radiomics-artificial intelligence models, the efficiency and accuracy of quantitative assessment of intestinal fibrosis have been significantly improved. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on quantitative imaging assessment techniques for CD-associated intestinal fibrosis,aiming to provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for the precise clinical management of CD fibrosis and the development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies.

Cite this article

ZHANG Pingxin , YANG Jie , WANG Yangdi , CHEN Minhu , LI Xuehua , MAO Ren . Research progress on noninvasive quantitative diagnosis of intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease[J]. Journal of Diagnostics Concepts & Practice, 2025 , 24(04) : 383 -392 . DOI: 10.16150/j.1671-2870.2025.04.004

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