MDCT of acute colitis in adults: an update in current imaging features

M Barral; M Boudiaf; A Dohan; C Hoeffel; M Camus; K Pautrat; E K Fishman; S Cohen; P Soyer

doi:10.1016/j.diii.2014.04.008

MDCT of acute colitis in adults: an update in current imaging features

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2015 Feb;96(2):133-49. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2014.04.008. Epub 2014 May 14.

Authors

M Barral¹, M Boudiaf¹, A Dohan², C Hoeffel³, M Camus⁴, K Pautrat⁵, E K Fishman⁶, S Cohen⁷, P Soyer⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Abdominal Imaging, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France.
² Department of Abdominal Imaging, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France; Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 10, avenue de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France.
³ Department of Radiology, Hôpital Robert-Debré, 11, boulevard Pasteur, 51092 Reims Cedex, France.
⁴ Department of Digestive Diseases, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France.
⁵ Surgical Oncologic & Digestive Unit, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France.
⁶ Department of Radiology, Johns-Hopkins Medical Institutions, 601, N. Caroline Street, Room 3251, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
⁷ Department of Radiology, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.
⁸ Department of Abdominal Imaging, Hôpital Lariboisière, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France; Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 10, avenue de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France. Electronic address: philippe.soyer@lrb.aphp.fr.

PMID: 24835625
DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2014.04.008

Abstract

Acute colitis is often diagnosed on multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) because patients with this condition present with abdominal pain and a variety of nonspecific symptoms. Acute colitis has multiple causes with varying degrees of severity. Analysis of the extent of colonic involvement, presence of specific MDCT imaging features and associated signs should help radiologist narrow the diagnosis. Integrating the results of clinical examination and biological tests is mandatory, and in case of ambiguous or nonspecific MDCT findings, endoscopy and colon biopsy should always be considered for a definite diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to discuss and illustrate MDCT features that are helpful for characterizing acute colitis in adults and to provide an update in current MDCT features.

Keywords: Acute colitis; Colitis; Computed tomography; Crohn disease; Imaging.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Adult
Colitis / classification
Colitis / diagnostic imaging*
Colitis / etiology
Humans
Multidetector Computed Tomography*