Small Bowel CT Appearances

Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) CT Findings

• Bowel wall thickening
• Mural stratification
• Enhanced mucosa and serosa
• Hypoattenuating intramural bowel wall edema
• May have diffuse involvement of entire GI tract

Other Information About Graft Versus Host Disease

Etiology:

• Bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients

Epidemiology:

• Anyone receiving an allogeneic transplant is susceptible to GVHD

Presentation:

• Acute:
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Jaundice
  • Skin rash or redness
  • Itchy skin
• Chronic:
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dry mouth
  • Mouth sores
  • Joint pain
  • Skin rash or tightness
  • Dyspnea
  • Hair loss or premature greying

Prognosis:

• GVH disease can often be treated
• Severe cases may be fatal

Related Pearls: Inflammatory Disease

Related Lectures:
CT of the Small Bowel: Complications of Therapy and How They Mimic Pathology - Part 1
CT of the Small Bowel: Inflammatory Disease - Part 2