Abstract:

Objective

To evaluate the current situation， clinical value， and limitations of the involvement of ultrasound in the multi-disciplinary treatment （MDT） of inflammatory bowel disease （IBD）in China.

Methods

This questionnaire-based survey was conducted on an online questionnaire platform（Questionnaire Star） from November 1， 2024 to December 1， 2024.The survey examined the frequency，methods， personnel， working procedures， clinical value， and major limitations of ultrasound involvement in IBD-MDT across various centers in China.

Results

A total of 90 medical centers conducting IBD-MDT and 201 respondents participated in the survey.Ultrasound radiologists were involved in 47.8% （43/90）of the IBD-MDT centers， including 3 non-tertiary hospitals.The participation of ultrasound radiologists was associated with hospital level， the duration of IBD-MDT implementation， the frequency of IBDMDT meetings， the number of patients discussed in a single session， the proportion of patients receiving intestinal ultrasound， and the professionalism of ultrasound radiologists （P＜0.05）.In 69.8% （30/43） of the centers， the participation frequency of ultrasound radiologists was sometimes， occasional， or rare， but 74.4% （32/43） of the centers reported in-depth discussions during the meetings.In 76.9% （30/39） of the centers， 1-2 fixed ultrasound radiologists participated in IBD-MDT， and 71.4% （30/42） of the centers had ultrasound radiologists specialized in gastrointestinal ultrasound.In 69.5% （16/23）， 78.3% （18/23）， and 78.3% （18/23） of the centers， ultrasound radiologists always or usually prepared in advance by understanding the objectives of the discussions， reviewing medical records， and examining ultrasound images.In 91.3%（21/23） of the centers， ultrasound radiologists prepared PPT or relevant documents in advance or presented images and engaged in oral discussions during the meetings.The clinical value of intestinal ultrasound was widely recognized in IBD-MDT， especially in assessing disease activity， complications， perianal lesions，and drug efficacy （Median=4， IQR=1）.The main limitations to the implementation of intestinal ultrasound included a lack of competent intestinal ultrasound radiologists （128/201， 63.7%）， insufficient consistency among operators （117/201， 58.2%）， variability in report quality due to insufficient standardization （102/201，50.8%）， and insufficient awareness of intestinal ultrasound among clinical departments （111/201， 55.2%）.

Conclusion

The value of ultrasound in IBD-MDT is widely acknowledged.However， variations exist in participation frequency， depth， personnel specialization， and working procedures.Strengthening training in IBD intestinal ultrasound to improve examination quality， and promoting the involvement of ultrasound radiologists in IBD-MDT， which will help accumulate valuable experience， are important for enhancing the role of ultrasound in the comprehensive management of IBD.

Key words: Ultrasound medicine department, Intestinal ultrasound, Inflammatory bowel disease, Multi-disciplinary treatment