Combined gray scale ultrasonography and doppler diagnostic tools with strain elastography in assessment of inflammatory bowel disease in pediatrics patients

Background Intestinal changes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently observed on ultrasound. Invasive diagnostic procedures are often employed to differentiate between the main types of IBD and detect complications. Ultrasound Strain Elastography (SE) is a promising non-invasive technique for detecting intestinal changes and assessing inflammatory activity in pediatric IBD. Aim of the study This research aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of conventional ultrasound, color Doppler, and SE in assessing inflammatory bowel disease in pediatric patients, both separately and in combination as additional tools. Patients and methods Forty patients (18 females and 22 males) initially diagnosed with IBD through clinical and endoscopic biopsy, along with 20 healthy controls, underwent conventional ultrasound, color Doppler, SE, and laboratory evaluations, including CBC, ESR, CRP, Fecal calprotectin, and assessment of IBD activity using PIBDAI. Results Conventional ultrasound, color Doppler, and SE significantly contributed to detecting disease activity and intestinal changes in IBD ( p