Melbourne Radiology Clinic
Ground Floor
Suite 3-6, 100 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Ph: 03 9667 1667
Fax: 03 9667 1666

Appointments

 

Small bowel MRI Series

Evaluation of Crohn's disease

MRI of small bowel:
Crohn’s disease

MRI is an excellent diagnostic tool used for evaluation of small bowel Crohn’s disease extent and assessment of change of therapy.

MRI of Crohn’s disease has the main advantage over CT in that patients who are typically young, are not exposed to the effects of radiation that occurs with CT, which up until now has been the main imaging modality of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Preparation for an MRI examination is an overnight fast and drinking an oral dye over a period of 2 hours. The scan takes approximately 1 hour, with injections of intravenous buscopan performed (to temporarily halt normal bowel motion in order to obtain the clearest images) as well as intravenous contrast in order to assess for bowel inflammatory changes at the time of initial diagnosis, assessment of any changes to therapy in patients with small bowel disease, as well as any of its complications. Furthermore, MRI is the modality of choice in pregnant women.

After the MRI scan, patients can eat and drink normally and resume normal activity. The report will then be interpreted by our radiologists and then sent to the patient’s referring doctor.

As of March 1, 2015 MRI scans for Crohn’s disease that are eligible for the Medicare rebate referred by Specialists are bulk billed at Melbourne Radiology Clinic.

MRI of small bowel showing thickened bowel characteristic of Crohn’s disease.

MBS Item Description

MRI – scan to evaluate small bowel Crohn’s disease if the service is provided to a patient for:

  • Evaluation of disease extent at time of initial diagnosis of Crohn’s disease
  • Evaluation of exacerbation/suspected complications of known Crohn’s disease
  • Evaluation of known or suspected Crohn’s disease in pregnancy; or
  • Assessment of change to therapy in a patient with small bowel Crohn’s disease.

This item applies only once in a 12 month period where the service is provided for assessment of change to therapy in a patient with small bowel Crohn’s disease.

MBS Item Description

MRI – scan for fistulising perianal Crohn’s disease if the service is provided to a patient for:

  • Evaluation of pelvic sepsis and fistulas associated with established or suspected Crohn’s disease;
  • Assessment of change to therapy of pelvis sepsis and fistulas from Crohn’s disease.

This item applies only once in a 12 month period where the service is provided for assessment of change to therapy of pelvis sepsis and fistulas from Crohn’s disease.

Specialist Referred

BULK-BILLED