C. difficile colitis is also known as pseudomembranous colitis.
Pseudomembranous colitis is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
It is most often found in patients who have been taking antibiotics although immunosuppression (i.e. for transplant recipients) also places patients at risk for this disease.
In patients with severe disease, radiographic studies can aid in detecting complications (e.g., toxic dilation, perforation).
CT scanning of the abdomen can be helpful by revealing the presence of bowel wall edema (>4 mm) and inflammation, particularly in cases involving the right colon.
Toxic megacolon is characterized radiographically by dilation of the transverse colon to greater than 6 cm and loss of colonic haustration (possible "thumb printing").
Pseudomembranous colitis is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
It is most often found in patients who have been taking antibiotics although immunosuppression (i.e. for transplant recipients) also places patients at risk for this disease.
In patients with severe disease, radiographic studies can aid in detecting complications (e.g., toxic dilation, perforation).
CT scanning of the abdomen can be helpful by revealing the presence of bowel wall edema (>4 mm) and inflammation, particularly in cases involving the right colon.
Toxic megacolon is characterized radiographically by dilation of the transverse colon to greater than 6 cm and loss of colonic haustration (possible "thumb printing").
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