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Ischaemic colitis: clinical, radiological and pathological correlation in three cases.
N K Robson1, S M Khan, J Rawlinson
1Department of Radiology, Southampton General Hospital.
Clinical Radiology
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Ischaemic colitis can present atypically on plain radiographs with featureless bowel dilatation, even without typical signs like thumbprinting. This diagnosis should be considered in elderly patients with these unusual radiographic findings.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Ischaemic colitis is a condition affecting the colon due to reduced blood flow.
- Diagnosis often relies on characteristic findings in imaging studies.
Observation:
- Three patients with ischaemic colitis presented with atypical plain radiographic findings.
- Radiographs showed featureless dilatation of the large bowel without bowel wall gas or 'thumbprinting'.
- Changes were not confined to the left colon, and no vascular occlusion was found in resected specimens.
Findings:
- The study highlights unusual radiographic signs of ischaemic colitis.
- Atypical findings include featureless dilatation and lack of localized changes.
- Pathological examination did not reveal typical vascular occlusive causes.
Implications:
- Radiologists and clinicians should consider ischaemic colitis in elderly patients with featureless dilated colons on plain radiographs.
- Atypical presentations necessitate a broader differential diagnosis.
- Early consideration can lead to timely diagnosis and management of ischaemic colitis.