CT patterns of acute enterocolitis - a practical guide for the emergency radiologist

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Acute enterocolitis presents with nonspecific symptoms, overlapping with various etiologies.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential for timely and effective patient management.
• Imaging, particularly CT, is vital for differential diagnosis and complication identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a pattern-based review of CT imaging features in acute enterocolitis.
• To highlight diagnostic hallmarks, pitfalls, and mimics in CT scans.
• To enhance radiologists' ability to interpret CT findings and reduce diagnostic errors.

Main Methods:

• A CT-focused approach for acute enterocolitis evaluation.
• Pattern-based review of CT imaging features.
• Inclusion of representative cases encountered in daily practice.

Main Results:

• CT enables detailed assessment of bowel wall, disease distribution, vascularity, and extrabowel findings.
• The review highlights key CT signatures for various forms of acute enterocolitis.
• Diagnostic tips and interpretive pitfalls are discussed.

Conclusions:

• CT is the cornerstone imaging modality for acute enterocolitis.
• A pattern-based approach aids in accurate diagnosis and management.
• This review aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care through enhanced CT interpretation skills.