Commentary

Abstract

The four abstracts selected for this issue are all from an abdominal imaging theme. All four emphasise the performance of newer modalities such as ultrasound and CT in the imaging of pathologies that have long been associated with x-ray based imaging. The first abstract is from am meta-analysis of original studies evaluating the use of ultrasound, magnetic resonance, scintigraphy and CT in the diagnosis and follow up of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Imaging of IBD has been associated with barium studies all of which deliver a significant radiation dose. This meta analysis published in Radiology analysed results from 34 studies and concluded that the re was no significant difference between the performance of ultrasound and MR as compared to CT. It concludes that since the patient with IBD require repeated imaging, selection of studies that do not require ionising radiation is to be preferred. These conclusions are equally valid in our scenario when extrapolated to intestinal tuberculosis.