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A radiological and pathological correlation of the mucosal changes in ulcerative colitis
Clinical Radiology
|May 1, 1978
Summary
Double contrast barium enema can underestimate ulcerative colitis extent. Radiology is useful for assessing severity and extent, distinguishing ulceration from granular mucosa for better clinical decisions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis and staging are crucial for patient management.
- Radiological assessments, like barium enemas, are often used but require correlation with pathological findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of double contrast barium enema with pathological examination in patients with ulcerative colitis.
- To evaluate the utility of radiology in assessing the extent and severity of ulcerative colitis.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study comparing double contrast barium enema findings with colon pathology in 37 ulcerative colitis patients.
- The 'instant' barium enema technique without bowel preparation was utilized in most cases.
Main Results:
- Radiology was found to underestimate the histological extent of ulcerative colitis.
- Distinct differentiation between ulceration (indicating severe active disease) and granular mucosa was possible.
- Polypoid changes, occurring in acute or healed stages, were observed, with intermediate stages being common.
Conclusions:
- The term 'extensive colitis' should denote total histological involvement, regardless of radiological extent.
- Radiology can be clinically useful for assessing ulcerative colitis extent and severity, with specific recommendations for reporting polypoid changes and background mucosa status.