Colonic Wall Thickening in Cirrhotic Patients CT Findings and Clinical Significance

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the spectrum of colonic wall changes in patients with cirrhosis and to assess its clinical significance by CT.Patients and Methods: 80 patients clinically diagnosed as liver cirrhosis underwent triphasic CT study of the liver. They were evaluated for the degree and extent of colonic involvement. Other features of cirrhosis including portal hypertension, ascites and splenomegaly were also recorded.Results: Colonic wall thickening 6mm was seen in the 41% (33/80) of the patients. The ascending colon and ceacum were involved in 17 cases. The ascending and transverse colon were involved in 11 cases while the ascending, transverse and descending colon were involved in 5 cases. Portosystemic collaterals were present in 33 cases of colonic wall thickening. Splenomegaly, was present in all the examined cases. Ascites was present in 20 cases, all of them has colonic wall thickening.Conclusion: Colonic wall thickening was limited predominantly to the right colon which could be explained due to portal hypertension and can be used as one of the indicators of poor prognosis in cirrhotic patients. CT can be used as one of the indicators of poor prognosis in patients of liver cirrhosis.