Radiographic Evaluation of Ileal Pouch Disorders: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Radiographic imaging of abdomen and pelvis plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of ileal pouch disorders with modalities including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, contrasted pouchography, and defecography. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review of the literature was performed and applications of cross-sectional imaging, pouchography, defecography, and ultrasonography are described. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane database. STUDY SELECTION: Relevant articles on endoscopy in ileal pouches published between Jan 2003 and June 2023 in English were included based on PRISMA guidelines. INTERVENTION: Main abdominal and pelvic imaging modalities and their applications in the diagnosis of ileal pouch disorders were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accuracy in characterization of the ileal pouch disorders. RESULTS: Computed tomography is the test of the choice for the evaluation of acute anastomotic leaks, perforation, and abscess(es). Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis is suitable for the evaluation of chronic anastomotic leaks and their associated fistulas and sinus tracts, as well as for the penetrating phenotype of Crohn’s disease of the pouch. Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography are useful in the assessment of intraluminal, intramural, and extraluminal disease processes of the pouch and prepouch ileum. Water-soluble contrast pouchography is particularly useful for the evaluation of acute or chronic anastomotic leaks and outlines the shape and configuration of the pouch. Defecography is the key modality to evaluate structural and functional pouch inlet and outlet obstructions. Ultrasonography can be performed to assess the pouch in experienced IBD centers. LIMITATIONS: This is a qualitative, not quantitative review of mainly case series and case reports. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominopelvic imaging along with clinical and endoscopic evaluation is imperative for the accurate assessment of structural, inflammatory, functional, and neoplastic disorders. See video from symposium .