Editorial: MRI of the small bowel

MRI, using modem equipment and a rigorous technical approach, is able to offer detailed morphological information on the small bowel. Technical requirements include high magnetic field, the availability of phased array coil and fast imaging sequences. An adequate small bowel distension is mandatory for an accurate study and it is obtained by using either oral contrast agent ("MR enterography") or naso-jejuneal catheter ("MR enteroclysis"). Major clinical indication is represented in the evaluation of patients with suspected Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), in particular in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease. MR of the small bowel allows an optimal evaluation of parietal inflammatory changes represented by wall thickening and contrast enhancement. The evaluation of bowel wall contrast enhancement may reveal an estimation of inflammatory disease activity.