Colon CT Appearances
Pseudomembranous Colitis CT Findings
- Significant wall thickening (usually > 1 cm), thicker than all other causes except Crohn’s disease
- Irregular or eccentric wall thickening, often concentric
- Stranding around bowel
- May be a pancolitis or segmental in nature
- Mural hypoattenuation (edema) or hyperattenuation (acute inflammation)
- Thumbprinting- thickened haustra due to edema
- “Accordian sign”- oral contrast between thickened haustra
Other Information About Pseudomembranous Colitis
Etiology:
- C difficile infection
Epidemiology:
- Often related to recent antibiotic use
Presentation:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramping
Prognosis:
- Generally good
Related Pearls: Pseudomembranous Colitis