Computed tomography in the evaluation of diverticulitis

Conference · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Radiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6501019

Hulnick, D H; Megibow, A J; Balthazar, E J; Naidich, D P; Bosniak, M A

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 43 cases of colonic diverticulitis and compared with the contrast-enema examination (CE) in 37 patients. Findings on CT included inflammation of the pericolic fat in 98% of cases, diverticula in 84%, thickening of the colon wall in 70%, a pericolic abscess in 35%, peritonitis in 16%, a fistula in 14%, colon obstruction in 12%, and intramural sinus tracts in 9%. In addition to detecting ureteral and bladder involvement and distant abscess formation, CT was preferable for demonstrating the extent of pericolic inflammation, which was underestimated with CE in 41% of patients. Differential diagnosis of the CT findings is discussed. The authors indicate that CT should be the initial procedure in patients with suspected diverticulitis, particularly when CE is contraindicated.

• Research Organization: New York Univ. Medical Center, NY
• OSTI ID: 6501019
• Report Number(s): CONF-8311191-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Journal Volume: 152:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABSCESSES
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CONTRAST MEDIA
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
FISTULAE
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INFLAMMATION
INTESTINES
LARGE INTESTINE
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PERITONITIS
RADIOLOGY
SYMPTOMS
TOMOGRAPHY