Differential Diagnosis for Enterocolitis on CT Abdomen
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Infectious colitis: This is the most common cause of enterocolitis, often due to bacterial (e.g., Clostridioides difficile), viral, or parasitic infections. The CT abdomen typically shows wall thickening, mucosal enhancement, and pericolonic fat stranding.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause enterocolitis. CT findings include bowel wall thickening, narrowing, and fistula formation.
- Ischemic colitis: Reduced blood flow to the colon can lead to enterocolitis. CT may show bowel wall thickening, pneumatosis intestinalis, and mesenteric vascular occlusion.
- Radiation colitis: Previous radiation therapy can cause enterocolitis. CT findings include bowel wall thickening, fistula formation, and surrounding fibrosis.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Neutropenic colitis (typhlitis): A life-threatening condition that occurs in immunocompromised patients, often with neutropenia. CT shows cecal wall thickening, pneumatosis, and pericecal fluid.
- Pseudomembranous colitis: A condition caused by C. difficile infection, which can be severe and life-threatening if not treated promptly. CT findings include pancolitis, wall thickening, and ascites.
- Mesenteric ischemia: A condition that can lead to bowel infarction if not promptly treated. CT may show mesenteric vascular occlusion, bowel wall thickening, and pneumatosis intestinalis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic colitis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the colon. CT findings are non-specific and may include bowel wall thickening and mucosal enhancement.
- Allergic colitis: A rare condition often associated with food allergies or other allergic reactions. CT findings are similar to those of infectious colitis.
- Behçet's disease: A rare condition that can cause enterocolitis, characterized by mucocutaneous lesions and multisystem involvement. CT may show bowel wall thickening, ulcers, and pericolonic fat stranding.