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Colonic thumbprinting

Case contributed by Andrew Lawson
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Previous right hemi-colectomy, acute onset diarhoea and bloody stools.

Patient Data

Age: 60
Gender: Female
ct

There is diffuse colonic mucosal thickening from the mid transverse colon down to the sigmoid with surrounding peri-mesenteric fat stranding and typical 'thumbprinting'. There is sparing of the proximal transverse colon and rectum. Right hemicolectomy noted.

Conclusion: Colonic mural wall thickening has developed. The segmental distribution is suggestive of ischemic colitis, with differentials including infectious/pseudomembranous colitis.

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