Comparing water versus standard bowel prep for Crohn's disease imaging

When you have Crohn's disease, doctors use a special MRI scan called MR enterography to see how your small bowel is doing and whether inflammation is improving. Before the scan, you need to drink a large amount of liquid to expand your bowel so the images are clear. This study is comparing plain water against the standard preparation (polyethylene glycol, or PEG) to see if water works just as well while causing fewer uncomfortable side effects like bloating and diarrhea.

The current standard bowel preparation often causes unpleasant side effects that make it hard for patients to stick with their treatment. Researchers want to know if plain water could be a simpler, cheaper, and gentler alternative that still gives doctors the clear images they need to monitor your disease.