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Dual-energy computed tomography quantification of creeping fat in Crohn’s disease: A new radiologic biomarker for transmural disease monitoring
Hunter Jack, Gary Lloyd Horn Jr, Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Mohadese Ahmadzade, Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad, Department of Radiology, Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Author contributions: Jack H and Ahmadzade M performed the literature review and drafted the manuscript; Horn GL Jr critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content; Ghasemi-Rad M conceived and supervised the editorial; and all authors read and approved the final version.
AI contribution statement: AI tools, specifically Claude (Anthropic), were used to assist with literature/reference verification, formatting, and language editing during manuscript revision. No AI tool was used to generate original research data, interpret results, or formulate scientific conclusions. All AI-assisted content was critically reviewed and revised by the authors, who take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States. mohammad.ghasemirad@bcm.edu
Received: June 17, 2026
Revised: July 23, 2026
Accepted: August 5, 2026
Published online: August 28, 2026
Processing time: 72 Days and 7.4 Hours
Revised: July 23, 2026
Accepted: August 5, 2026
Published online: August 28, 2026
Processing time: 72 Days and 7.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Dual-energy computed tomography with multi-material decomposition allows objective quantification of creeping fat in Crohn’s disease. This radiologic marker correlates with clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and molecular indices of disease activity and may help assess transmural and mesenteric disease beyond mucosal healing.