The Relationship Between Intramural Fat Accumulation and Sarcopenia on MR Enterography Exams in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Purpose

Research on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and sarcopenia for assessing Crohn’s disease (CD) is growing. Our study examined the connections between the presence of sarcopenia, intramural fat accumulation (IFA), and clinical, laboratory, and MRE findings.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on 112 patients with suspected or diagnosed CD who underwent 3-tesla MRE. The study examined the correlation between sarcopenia-related parameters and MRE findings. Results of MRE exams and clinical and laboratory results were statistically analyzed. The Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson chi-square, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton tests were used for comparison.

Results

It was determined that patients with active inflammation on a chronic basis had more IFA than the others (p<0.001). There were positive relationships between IFA and intramural edema (p<0.001). There were positive correlations between IFA and high b-values and negative correlations with apparent diffusion coefficient values (p<0.05). Positively significant relationships were found between IFA and wall thickness, affected segment length, disease duration, and sedimentation values (p<0.05). Strong correlations were found between sarcopenia and the CD activity index as well as wall thickness (p<0.001/p=0.003). There was no significant relationship between steroid usage and other variables.

Conclusion

The presence of IFA is associated with chronic inflammation. There was no clear relationship between steroid use and IFA. Our findings support the idea that sarcopenia is related to the activity of CD. Further comprehensive research is required on these subjects.

Key Points

• The usage of MR enterography for the management of CD is increasing day by day due to its advantages.

• There is a paucity of evidence regarding the relationship between sarcopenia and MR enterography findings in patients with CD.

• Intramural fat accumulation (IFA) is a sign of chronicity in patients with CD.

• The presence of IFA seems to be associated with active inflammation on a chronic basis.

• There was no clear relationship between steroid use and IFA.

Citation Format

• Algin O, Güneş YC, Cankurtaran RE et al. The Relationship Between Intramural Fat Accumulation and Sarcopenia on MR Enterography Exams in Patients with Crohn's Disease. Rofo 2025; DOI 10.1055/a-2330-8148

Zusammenfassung

Zweck

Die Forschung zur Magnetresonanz-Enterografie (MRE) und Sarkopenie nimmt bei der Beurteilung von Morbus Crohn (CD) zu. Unsere Studie untersuchte die Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Vorhandensein von Sarkopenie, intramuraler Fettansammlung (IFA) und klinischen, Labor- und MRE-Befunden.

Materialien und Methoden

Diese retrospektive Studie wurde an 112 Patienten mit vermuteter oder diagnostizierter Zöliakie durchgeführt, die sich einer 3-Tesla-MRE unterzogen. Die Studie untersuchte die Korrelation zwischen Sarkopenie-bezogenen Parametern und MRE-Befunden. Die Ergebnisse der klinischen und Labor-MRE-Untersuchungen wurden statistisch analysiert. Für Vergleiche wurden die Kruskal-Wallis-, Pearson-Chi-Quadrat- und Fisher-Freeman-Halton-Tests verwendet.

Ergebnisse

Es wurde festgestellt, dass Patienten mit aktiver Entzündung auf chronischer Basis mehr IFA hatten als die anderen (p<0,001). Es gab positive Beziehungen zwischen IFA und intramuralen Ödemen (p<0,001). Es gab positive Korrelationen von IFA mit hohen b-Werten und negative Korrelationen mit scheinbaren Diffusionskoeffizientenwerten (p<0,05). Es wurden positiv signifikante Beziehungen zwischen IFA und Wanddicke, der Länge des betroffenen Segments, der Krankheitsdauer oder den Sedimentationswerten gefunden (p<0,05). Es wurden starke Korrelationen zwischen Sarkopenie und dem CD-Aktivitätsindex sowie der Wanddicke gefunden (p<0,001/p=0,003). Es gab keinen signifikanten Zusammenhang zwischen der Verwendung von Steroiden und anderen Variablen.

Schlussfolgerung

Das Vorhandensein von IFA ist mit einer chronischen Entzündung verbunden. Es gab keinen klaren Zusammenhang zwischen Steroidkonsum und IFA. Unsere Ergebnisse stützen die Idee, dass Sarkopenie mit der Aktivität von CD zusammenhängt. Weitere umfassende Forschung zu diesen Themen ist erforderlich.

Kernaussagen

• Der Einsatz der MR-Enterographie bei der Behandlung von Morbus Crohn nimmt aufgrund ihrer Vorteile von Tag zu Tag zu.

• Es gibt nur wenige Belege für den Zusammenhang zwischen Sarkopenie und MR-Enterographie-Befunden bei Patienten mit Morbus Crohn.

• Intramurale Fettansammlung (IFA) ist ein Zeichen für Chronizität bei Patienten mit Morbus Crohn.

• Das Vorhandensein von IFA scheint mit einer aktiven, chronischen Entzündung verbunden zu sein.

• Es gab keinen eindeutigen Zusammenhang zwischen Steroidkonsum und IFA.

Keywords

sarcopenia - DWI - MRI - intramural fat - enterography

Publication History

Received: 26 January 2024

Accepted after revision: 12 May 2024

Article published online:
08 July 2024

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