Can Crohn's disease be detected with an enhanced CT of the small intestine?

Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

Updated on February 10, 2025

00:00

00:00

Crohn's disease cannot be accurately diagnosed through a CT scan of the small intestine; it only shows a general overview of the condition. To accurately diagnose specific conditions of Crohn's disease, it is necessary to perform a colonoscopy, combined with blood tests, routine stool tests, and pathological examinations for a definitive diagnosis. Then, further diagnoses can be made based on individual clinical symptoms. This disease generally has a definite connection with genetic and immune factors. If the condition is severe, surgery may be considered to remove the affected intestines.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Chen Rong

Gastroenterology

1min 47sec

home-news-image

What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, primarily affecting the terminal ileum and adjacent colon, but can involve any digestive tract segment from mouth to anus, displaying either segmental or skip distribution. Clinically, it is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal mass, fistula formation, and intestinal obstruction. It may also present with fever and extraintestinal manifestations, including joint, skin, eye, and oral mucosa damage. This disease tends to recur throughout a person’s life, and severe cases can be prolonged and unhealing with poor prognosis. The onset age is mostly between 15-30 years, but initial attacks can occur at any age. The incidence rate is similar between genders. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom, often seen in the lower right abdomen or around the navel, presenting intermittently as cramp-like pain accompanied by bowel sounds, typically worsening after eating, and relieved by defecation or passing gas. Diarrhea is another common symptom, initially intermittent but can become persistent in later stages of the disease, with stools generally being pasty and containing mucus and pus-blood. If the lower part of the colon or anorectal area is involved, there may be mucus-bloody stools and a sensation of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements. Abdominal masses are often located in the lower right abdomen and around the navel, and fistula formation is a characteristic clinical manifestation of Crohn's disease.

home-news-image

Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

56sec

home-news-image

Can people with Crohn's disease drink honey?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the exact cause of which is not very clear, and honey is safe to consume. The dietary principle generally involves eating small frequent meals, favoring low-fat, high-calorie foods. You can eat vegetables like carrots, yams, and potatoes, and should avoid raw, cold, spicy, and irritating foods such as onions, chili peppers, bean products, and leeks. The symptoms of Crohn's disease primarily include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and nutritional disorders. Currently, the disease is managed with a combination of medication and surgery to actively prevent complications. However, symptoms can recur frequently, and the disease course can be prolonged. It’s important to maintain reasonable work and rest habits and avoid excessive fatigue. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician for medication usage.)

home-news-image

Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

46sec

home-news-image

Can people with Crohn's disease drink tea?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel condition. Patients can drink tea and should eat smaller meals more frequently. They should eat more green vegetables, such as carrots, yams, and potatoes, and eat less food high in fat, such as animal fats, fatty meats, and cheese. It is also advisable to eat less raw, cold, and spicy food and to avoid foods that are likely to cause gas, like bean products and onions. In terms of treatment, it is important to follow a regular and complete treatment course. Treatment may involve a combination of medication and surgery. Currently, there is no specific cure for Crohn's disease; treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic and supportive care, as the disease course is prone to prolonged recurrence.

home-news-image

Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

52sec

home-news-image

What is the difference between Crohn's disease and colitis?

Crohn's disease is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease, whose cause is currently unclear but may be related to immune mechanisms. Its main symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and poor appetite. A colonoscopy can reveal longitudinal ulcers on the mucosa, distributed in segments. This disease has signs of lifelong recurrence, and currently, there are no specific effective medications, making treatment very challenging. The lesions can develop throughout the entire digestive tract. Chronic colitis primarily presents symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. A colonoscopy can show intestinal mucosal redness, swelling, and erosion. The condition generally responds well to treatment and is relatively milder compared to others.

home-news-image

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

46sec

home-news-image

What is the difference between Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome?

The main difference between Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome is that Crohn's disease is an organic disease, also known as segmental enteritis, whereas irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder. The primary symptoms of Crohn's disease include mucous stools and pus-blood stools, and patients may also experience chills and fever. Complications may include the formation of fistulas, leading to peritonitis in patients. Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder, mainly characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. The treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome primarily involves the use of medications to regulate the intestinal flora and to modulate the intestinal nerves.