Non-invasive imaging for diagnosing intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease

A Non-invasive Diagnostic Model for Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease Based on 18F-FAPI PET Imaging

Observational Daping Hospital and the Research Institute of Surgery of the Third Military Medical University · NCT05824962

This study is testing a new way to use special imaging to help doctors find and understand intestinal scarring in adults with Crohn's disease without needing surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorDaping Hospital and the Research Institute of Surgery of the Third Military Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chongqing, Chongqing)
Trial IDNCT05824962 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to develop a non-invasive diagnostic model for assessing intestinal fibrosis in patients with Crohn's disease using 18F-FAPI PET imaging. It involves a prospective, multicenter approach where adult patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease will undergo various imaging techniques, including PET/CT and computed-tomography enterography (CTE), to evaluate the severity of intestinal fibrosis. Clinical data will be collected, including disease history and imaging results, to correlate with pathological findings post-surgery. The study seeks to improve early detection of fibrosis, which is crucial for determining appropriate treatment strategies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and are scheduled for surgical resection of intestinal segments.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, lactating, or have contraindications for imaging examinations may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a reliable non-invasive method for early detection of intestinal fibrosis, leading to better treatment outcomes for patients with Crohn's disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of imaging techniques for assessing intestinal fibrosis is established, the specific application of 18F-FAPI PET imaging in this context is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients diagnosed with CD based on clinical, imaging, endoscopic, and histopathological criteria;
2. Patient age ≥ 18 years old;
3. Within 15 days before surgery, 18F-FAPI, 18F-FDG PET/CT intestinal imaging, and routine CTE imaging were performed;
4. Surgical resection of intestinal segments and imaging evaluation of intestinal segment matching;
5. The pathological analysis of surgical specimens includes H\&E, Masson, GLUT1 and FAP immunohistochemical staining;
6. The patient voluntarily participates and signs an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or lactating patients;
2. The quality of imaging images is poor and cannot be used for diagnosis and evaluation;
3. If the pathological section of the specimen does not cover the entire intestinal wall;
4. The fasting blood glucose level is higher than 11.1mmol/L;
5. Patients with contraindications for CTE examination.

Where this trial is running

Chongqing, Chongqing

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Crohn DiseaseFDGFAPIFibrosisPET/CT
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.