Commentaries

Crohn’s disease The general availability of high resolution ultrasound has improved the diagnostic potential of ultrasound in the assess-ment of bowel disease. Uncertainty persists however as to its limitations and strengths, and its place in relation to other imaging techniques. Barium studies and endoscopy are currently the most reliable techniques for evaluation of mucosal disease but provide limited information about the extent of transmural and peri-intestinal abnormality. The paper by Gasche et al (see page 112) highlights the accu-racy of transabdominal ultrasound in the detection of complications of Crohn’s disease. The authors report the ultra-sound findings in a highly selected group of 33 patients with known advanced Crohn’s disease who underwent surgery and provide detailed correlation between the ultrasound and patho