Colonic pseudopolyps frequently appear in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis. Yet, their specific features in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) have remained undocumented until now. This study explored the ultrasound characteristics of pseudopolyposis to determine if IUS could serve as a reliable detection tool. A case-control design was used, involving 12 IBD patients with extensive pseudopolyposis in the left colon and 18 IBD patients without pseudopolyps, matched by clinical characteristics. Using IUS, researchers examined parameters related to the colon’s luminal (such as diameter, wall thickness, stratification, margins, and blood flow) and intraluminal structures (color Doppler vascular signals), alongside surrounding extraluminal features like mesenteric fat.
The study’s key findings highlighted that a colonic anteroposterior diameter of 12 mm or greater, along with the detection of vascular signals within the lumen, significantly correlated with pseudopolyposis. When both these indicators were present on IUS, sensitivity reached 75% and specificity 100%, suggesting a high level of accuracy in detecting pseudopolyposis in the colon. Blind reviews of anonymized IUS images and videos by clinical experts further supported the diagnostic accuracy of these parameters, as they correctly identified cases with pseudopolyposis.
This research marks the first systematic examination of IUS characteristics of pseudopolyposis in IBD, offering an initial basis for non-invasive monitoring and surveillance of this condition. By highlighting reliable IUS markers, this study proposes IUS as a valuable, less invasive tool for assessing pseudopolyposis in IBD patients, which could help reduce the need for repeated colonoscopies. Future studies and broader clinical applications could validate these findings and refine ultrasound-based assessment protocols, enhancing patient care and monitoring for those with IBD.
