Colon CT Appearances

Ischemic Colitis CT Findings

• Pneumatosis
• Mesenteric venous gas
• Symmetric bowel wall thickening
• Thumbprinting on CT
• May involve just a segment of bowel (cecum or right colon) or be a pancolitis

Other Information About Ischemic Colitis

Etiology:

• Decreased flow to bowel due to vascular disease

Epidemiology:

• > 60 years of age
• More common in women

Presentation:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Blood in stool
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Prognosis:

• Most patients recover within a few weeks
• Other patients will require surgical intervention

Related Pearls: Ischemic Bowel

Related Lectures:
CT of the Small Bowel: Inflammatory Disease - Part 1