Computed tomographic diagnosis of radiation ileitis

Two patients were studied by CT after resection of colon carcinoma followed by abdominal radiation therapy. Based upon the findings of a localized, mass-like confluence of shortened loops of bowel with thickening of bowel wall, adherence of adjoining loops, thickening of the adjacent mesentery, and increased density of mesenteric fat the patients were considered to have radiation ileitis. Recurrent tumor was excluded by autopsy and confirmed by a 1-year asymptomatic follow-up period.