It is one of the goals of a scientific journal to publish a seminal paper that brings creative leaps. In 2000, Abdominal Imaging was pleased to publish an invited original scientific article by Francesca Maccioni and colleagues dealing with the innovative use of MRI in evaluating the activity of Crohn’s disease [1]. It was promptly hailed as a “landmark paper… of extreme importance… It lays the groundwork for future clinical research in the application of MRI to inflammatory disease in the small bowel” [2]. While interest and investigations by other medical centers were stimulated [3–8], Dr. Maccioni, Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Diagnostic Radiology at University La Sapienza in Rome, has continued to expand her clinical experience and deepen detailed understanding and precise correlations [9–12] (Fig. 1).
The Feature Section under her Guest Editorship in this issue of Abdominal Imaging presents not only our perceptions today but also indicates the likely future developments. Notably, it transcends the barriers between radiologists and gastroenterologists and fosters a gainful integrated approach. With training in both radiology and gastroenterology, Dr. Maccioni is eminently qualified to bridge the two specialties in correlating imaging findings with clinical indices and laboratory data.
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Meyers, M.A. Introduction to Dr. Maccioni’s Feature Section. Abdom Imaging 37, 915–916 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-012-9875-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-012-9875-5