Abstract #0256

Using texture analysis to detect changes in intestinal contents in people with cystic fibrosis

Neele S Dellschaft^1,2, Caroline Hoad^1,2, Christabella Ng^2,3, Luca Marciani^2,4, Robin Spiller^2,4, Alan Smyth^2,3, Giles Major^2,4, and Penny Gowland^1,2

¹Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom, ²Nottingham NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom, ³Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom, ⁴Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease leading to sticky mucus, slower small bowel transit and maldigestion. We used MRI to characterize gastrointestinal function in CF. Changes in the image texture suggested increased bacterial load in the small bowel, which we have now quantified applying Haralick texture analysis. The difference in texture observed between small bowel and colon chyme in healthy subjects was less distinct in people with CF (Control median 2.11 a.u. [IQR 0.71, 3.30] v.CF 0.90 a.u. [0.38, 1.67], Wilcoxon P=0.010). This compared well to subjective analysis. These findings probably indicate overgrowth of colonic bacteria and maldigestion.

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