Radiology, Vol 180, 57-60, Copyright © 1991 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Pseudomembranous colitis: CT evaluation of 26 cases

EK Fishman, M Kavuru, B Jones, JE Kuhlman, DS Merine, KD Lillimoe and SS Siegelman
Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is an infectious colitis usually occurring as a complication of antibiotic use. The computed tomographic (CT) appearances of 26 patients with PMC were reviewed. Twenty-three patients demonstrated an abnormal bowel wall, with an average wall thickness of 14.7 mm (range, 3-32 mm); in three patients, bowel wall thickness was normal. Contrast material trapped between thickened folds corresponded to the broad transverse bands described on plain radiographs. Pancolonic involvement was seen in 13 cases, while seven patients had right-sided involvement only; three patients had bowel wall thickening limited to the rectosigmoid only. Although the CT appearance of PMC is not highly specific, the diagnosis may be suggested in the proper clinical setting.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. F. Thoeni and J. P. Cello CT Imaging of Colitis Radiology, September 1, 2006; 240(3): 623 - 638. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Ash, M. E. Baker, C. M. O'Malley Jr., S. M. Gordon, C. P. Delaney, and N. A. Obuchowski Colonic Abnormalities on CT in Adult Hospitalized Patients with Clostridium difficile Colitis: Prevalence and Significance of Findings. Am. J. Roentgenol., May 1, 2006; 186(5): 1393 - 1400. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Macari and E. J. Balthazar CT of Bowel Wall Thickening: Significance and Pitfalls of Interpretation Am. J. Roentgenol., May 1, 2001; 176(5): 1105 - 1116. [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. D. C. Kirkpatrick and H. M. Greenberg Evaluating the CT Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Colitis: Should CT Guide Therapy? Am. J. Roentgenol., March 1, 2001; 176(3): 635 - 639. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Cartoni, F. Dragoni, A. Micozzi, E. Pescarmona, S. Mecarocci, P. Chirletti, M. C. Petti, G. Meloni, and F. Mandelli Neutropenic Enterocolitis in Patients With Acute Leukemia: Prognostic Significance of Bowel Wall Thickening Detected by Ultrasonography J. Clin. Oncol., February 1, 2001; 19(3): 756 - 761. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A H Freeman CT and bowel disease Br. J. Radiol., January 1, 2001; 74(877): 4 - 14. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M. Horton, F. M. Corl, and E. K. Fishman CT Evaluation of the Colon: Inflammatory Disease RadioGraphics, March 1, 2000; 20(2): 399 - 418. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kawamoto, K. M. Horton, and E. K. Fishman Pseudomembranous Colitis: Spectrum of Imaging Findings with Clinical and Pathologic Correlation RadioGraphics, July 1, 1999; 19(4): 887 - 897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Macari, E. J. Balthazar, and A. J. Megibow The Accordion Sign at CT: a Nonspecific Finding in Patients with Colonic Edema Radiology, June 1, 1999; 211(3): 743 - 746. [Abstract] [Full Text]