Evaluation of small bowel tumors: MR enteroclysis

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the small bowel has become widely accepted at centers dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, due to the method's diagnostic efficacy. MR enteroclysis is an imaging modality that combines the advantages of enteroclysis and multiplanar MR and allows the detection and the manifestations of small bowel diseases wherever they are located (intraluminal, intramural, or extramural). Magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE) is an emerging technique used for the detection and evaluation of small bowel neoplasms. This article illustrates the imaging appearances of small bowel tumors on MRI and the usefulness of MR enteroclysis in the diagnosis and categorization of these tumors, also discussing the role of MRE in comparison with other diagnostic modalities.