To identify key imaging features that allow differentiation among the various types of colitis. To be able to distinguish potentially fatal ischemic conditions that need urgent surgical intervention from those benign.

The term colitis refers to inflammation of the wall of the colon, that is represented mainly by an colon wall thickening. Itcan be secondary to different causes, but mostly by infection, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) or ischemic conditions. As the computed tomography (CT) has become a major diagnosis tool in the detection and characterization of colonic disease, imaging techniques play an important role in the diagnosis of colitis. Normal colon wall The colon and rectum wall are made up of different layers...

CT is frequently the first imaging examination performed in patients with evidence of infection, inflammation, or ischemia because of the unique diagnostic perspective it offers. Despite its efficacy in depicting abnormalities in the colon and complications of colitis, CT does not accurately differentiate among the various categories of colitis. Nevertheless, there are some features that allow us to distinguish them. ISCHEMIC COLITIS( Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19, Fig. 20) With the increase in average life expectancy, acute bowel ischemia represents...

There are no specific finding for each cause of colitis, but imaging features can help narrow the differential diagnosis or suggest a specific diagnosis. Nevertheless,the final diagnosis will be done according to the clinical presentation, laboratory data and radiological findings.

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