Focal bowel wall changes detected with colour Doppler ultrasound: diagnostic value in acute non-diverticular diseases of the colon

• Published in: British journal of radiology Vol. 77; no. 923; pp. 917 - 921
• Main Authors: DANSE, E. M, JAMART, J, HOANG, P, LATERRE, P. F, KARTHEUSER, A, VAN BEERS, B. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Institute of Radiology 01-11-2004
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Colon - diagnostic imaging; Colon - pathology; Colonic Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Colonic Diseases - pathology; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color - methods; Sonography; Doppler ultrasound study; Wall; Acute; Echography; Colon; Diagnosis; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0007-1285; 1748-880X
• DOI: 10.1259/bjr/18038687

We performed a study to determine if colour Doppler findings may help to identify the cause of wall thickening in acute non-diverticular diseases of the colon. The study group included 66 patients admitted to the emergency department with a final diagnosis of infectious colitis (n=23), inflammatory colitis (n=10), ischaemic colitis (n=23) and malignant tumours (n=10). The following ultrasound features were assessed: maximal wall thickness, wall stratification, arterial flow in the colonic wall and arteriolar resistive index. Higher values of wall thickness were observed in malignant tumour (18.2+/-6.2 mm, p<0.001). Moderately thickened wall (6.6+/-1.3 mm, p< or =0.06), preserved stratification (90% versus 46% in the remainder of the study population) and lower resistive index (0.51+/-0.10, p< or =0.05) were significantly related to inflammatory colitis. Absence of arterial flow was more frequently observed in ischaemia (43% versus 12% in the remainder of the study population). In conclusion, despite some overlap, both ultrasound and colour Doppler features are helpful in the differential diagnosis of colonic thickening related to non-diverticular colonic lesions.