Lead pipe colon - ulcerative colitis

Case contributed by Daniel MacManus
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Diarrhea with blood and mucus.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female

Abdomen XR

x-ray

Single supine radiograph performed.

Descending and sigmoid colon bowel wall thickening with loss of the normal haustral pattern, consistent with the provided history of ulcerative colitis.

No dilated loops or pneumatosis. No features of supine free intraperitoneal air identified. Mild ascending and proximal transverse colon fecal loading. The sacroiliac joints appear unremarkable.

Case Discussion

Long segment smooth/featureless appearing descending and transverse colon with loss of the normal haustral folds and bowel wall thickening are seen in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis.

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