Routine administration of intravenous (IV) gadolinium has no impact on the assessment of bowel inflammation, a recent study found. The retrospective case study identified children who underwent MR enterography (MRE) and endoscopy within 30 days in 2016. Imaging studies were evaluated for bowel inflammation interpreted by 2 blinded radiologists in 2 sessions 6 weeks apart. Researchers found:

• 52 children (mean age 13.2 years; 46% female) were included.
• 77% had inflammation on endoscopic biopsy.
• Pre/post-MRE showed no significant increase in the c-statistic compared to pre-MRE for assessment of small bowel or large bowel inflammation.
• IV contrast showed no improvement in interobserver agreement for assessment of inflammation in small or large bowel.
• Assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) complications was improved with IV contrast.