What causes neutropenic colitis?

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a serious condition that affects the bowel wall in affected patients. It mainly occurs in patients on intensive chemotherapy that causes suppression of the patient’s immune system.

Can neutropenia cause stomach problems?

In patients with severe neutropenia, fever sometimes is absent. The abdominal pain can be diffuse or localized, typically occurring in the right lower quadrant. A rigid abdomen may indicate bowel perforation.

What does colitis look like on CT scan?

The classic CT signs of acute colitis are comprised of three main aspects: thickening of the wall by more than 4 mm (Fig. 1), infiltration of the pericolonic fat (Fig. 2) and abnormal appearance or density of the wall of the colon that may be seen as a halo sign (resulting from submucosal oedema) (Fig.

Does neutropenia cause diarrhea?

Conclusions: Diarrhea is a common complication in neutropenic patients. Not only specific conditions like NEC, but also nonspecific diseases like parasitosis may be the cause of diarrhea in this patient population.

What bacteria can cause colitis?

Common pathologic bacteria causing bacterial colitis include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia, and Yersinia species. The primary source of transmission is fecal-oral spread and ingestion of contaminated food and water.

What is the pathophysiology of neutropenic colitis?

Abstract Neutropenic colitis is a severe condition usually affecting immunocompromised patients. Its exact pathogenesis is not completely understood. The main elements in disease onset appear to be intestinal mucosal injury together with neutropenia and the weakened immune system of the afflicted patients.

Which radiographic findings are characteristic of neutropenic colitis (typhlitis)?

The spleen, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands are normal. There is no lymph node enlargement. No suspicious bone lesions are seen. The lung bases are clear. Conclusion: Radiographic findings consistent with neutropenic colitis (typhlitis).

Which CT findings are characteristic of typhlitis and radiation colitis?

In typhlitis, CT demonstrates cecal distention and circumferential thickening of the cecal wall, which may have low attenuation secondary to edema. In radiation colitis, the clinical history is the key to suggesting the diagnosis because the CT findings can be nonspecific.

Which CT findings are characteristic of ischemic colitis (IC)?

In ischemic colitis, CT typically demonstrates circumferential, symmetric wall thickening with fold enlargement. CT findings of graft-versus-host disease include small bowel and colonic wall thickening, which may result in luminal narrowing and separation of bowel loops.