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Thumbprinting - ulcerative colitis

Case contributed by RMH Core Conditions
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Diffuse abdominal pain. One week diarrhea.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

Abdomen

x-ray

Extensive mucosal thickening involving the majority of the colon, with suspected distal luminal narrowing and widespread thumbprinting. No pneumoperitoneum. No calcified gallstones. Normal appearance of the sacroiliac joints.

There is thickening of the colonic wall which involves predominantly the cecum, ascending, transverse and descending colon with relative sparing of the sigmoid colon and rectum.

A moderate amount of feces is present within the rectum. The appendix defines normally. The stomach and small bowel have a satisfactory appearance.

Case Discussion

The patient went onto colonoscopy with biopsy demonstrating ulcerative colitis as the cause of mucosal edema. 

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