GI imaging Flashcards
2 Key radiological findings for ulcerative colitis
thumbprinting
lead pipe bowel
what causes thumbprinting
thickened mucosal folds due to bowel wall oedema
what is lead pipe bowel
loss of normal haustral markings, luminal narrowing and bowel shortening
4 complications of ulcerative colitis
toxic megacolon
perforation
stricture
bowel cancer
what is a toxic megacolon
atonic colon (impaired peristalsis) with progressive dilatation
4 complications of Crohn’s disease
Abscess
Fistula
Obstruction
Cancer
3 radiological tests for Crohn’s
MRI
CT
US
5 findings on CT/MRI for Crohn’s disease
bowel wall thickening (most frequently seen in the terminal ileum)
bowel wall increased
enhancement
comb sign
strictures and fistulae
abscesses
3 US findings for Crohn’s
bowel wall thickening
Increased vascularity of the bowel wall
‘fat wrapping’ of the mesentery
what causes comb sign?
mesenteric blood vessels are prominent because they are dilated
2 ways to diagnose appendicitis
CT
US
6 radiological findings for appendicitis
Mural thickening (wall thickness >3mm)
Dilated appendix (lumen >6mm)
Surrounding inflammatory change
Abscess associated with the appendix
In severe cases, there may be perforation- free fluid/gas in the abdominal cavity
A focus of calcification may be seen in the appendix- appendicolith
4 Imaging features of CRC
Focal irregular mural thickening
If locally advanced, may invade through bowel wall into surrounding fat or nearby structures
There may be locally enlarged lymph nodes
Metastatic disease to other organs, eg liver, in advanced disease
preferred modality for gallstone imaging
US
3 features of cholecystitis that can be seen on US and CT
Mural thickening
Gallbladder distension
Pericholecystic fluid
