Role of Intestinal Ultrasound in Treat to Target Strategy in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease : the IUS-TTT Study

This study employs intestinal ultrasound (IUS) to assess disease activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients. Ultrasound parameters include bowel wall thickness measurement, evaluation of vascularization via color Doppler, assessment of wall stratification, and identification of mesentery features and complications (e.g., strictures, fistulas, abscesses). For ulcerative colitis, disease activity is gauged using the Milan Ultrasound Criteria (MUC), where a score \>6.3 indicates active disease based on bowel wall thickness and vascularization. In Crohn's disease, the Bowel Ultrasound Score (BUSS) and International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score (IBUS-SAS) assess bowel wall thickness, vascularization, stratification, and inflammatory fat, with scores \>3.52 (BUSS) and \>48.7 (IBUS-SAS) indicating active disease. IUS evaluations occur at baseline, 2-6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6-12 months to track disease progression and treatment response.