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Comb sign in Crohn's disease

Akira Hokama1, Atsushi Iraha2

  • 1Endoscopy, University of the Ryukyus, Japan.

Revista Espanola De Enfermedades Digestivas
|September 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The comb sign on CT scans indicates active inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD) exacerbations. This finding aids in identifying active CD and differentiating it from other conditions like lymphoma.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of CD exacerbations are crucial for patient management.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old boy presented with symptoms of CD exacerbation, including abdominal pain and diarrhea.
  • CT imaging revealed active ileum and rectosigmoid colon inflammation with the characteristic "comb sign."

Findings:

  • The "comb sign" describes mesenteric hypervascularity with dilated, tortuous vasa recta resembling a comb.
  • This sign can help identify acute CD exacerbations and distinguish active CD from hypovascular diseases like lymphoma.
  • The comb sign's severity correlates with endoscopic findings in CD.

Implications:

  • The comb sign is a valuable imaging biomarker for active Crohn's disease.
  • It can assist clinicians in diagnosing and managing CD flares.
  • Further research may explore its role in predicting disease progression or treatment response.

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