large amount of stool in colon on ct scan

Figure 15a: Anteroposterior supine abdominal radiographs obtained after cardiac surgery in a 55-year-old man with abdominal distension. The resultant small-bowel distension may mimic a distal SBO. Air-fluid levels are often seen in the dilated colon on the upright or decubitus radiographs (5). 2. It is important to note that the exact size of the cecum is less important than the duration and rapidity of cecal distension (12–13). Diverticulitis on CT scans is characterized by segmental, symmetric bowel wall thickening with hyperemia, which is typically in a longer segment (≥10 cm) than malignant lesions (Fig 9) (38,60). Both the clinical findings and the pathophysiology of LBO differ substantially from SBO. In half of patients with cecal volvulus, the cecum twists in the axial plane, rotating along its long axis, appearing in the right lower quadrant. I have been complaining about upper right quadrant pain for a few years now, and it seems that having such a slow bowel is the cause of it. (b) Right lateral decubitus radiograph shows gas filling the entire colon down into the sigmoid colon and rectum (arrows). (b) Coronal reformatted CT image of the abdomen and pelvis shows a transverse colonic intussusception (arrow). This pitfall is more common in right-sided colonic tumors (19). Patients with sigmoid diverticulitis usually present with left lower quadrant pain, fever, a palpable left lower quadrant mass, and constipation. (b) Midline coronal reformatted CT image of the abdomen and pelvis after administration of intravenous contrast material shows obstructing left colonic adenocarcinoma (white arrow) with adjacent perforation and abscess (black arrow). Findings raise question of constipation with a large amount of stool throughout the colon. Both entities are characterized by colonic dilatation with preserved haustration, smooth inner wall contour, and normal colonic wall thickness. colon and 18F-FDG uptake was described in the same study. Figure 6b: Images in a 72-year-old woman with LBO caused by sigmoid volvulus. The large amount of stool in the colon is not necessarily abnormal BUT, air in the abdomen means the bowel has had a leakage OR it is post surgery. Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vol. The large intestine is the section of the gastrointestinal tract that helps the body absorb water and convert indigestible food into stool … Adhesions are a very rare cause of LBO. In patients with LBO secondary to malignancy, CT offers the additional benefit of detecting local and regional metastases. Figure 5: Anteroposterior supine abdominal radiograph in a 58-year-old man with sigmoid volvulus and “northern exposure” sign shows markedly dilated sigmoid colon (black arrow) extending above the transverse colon (white arrow). Additionally, if the enema is performed first, water-soluble contrast material does not cause an artifact on CT scans. A CT scan (without contrast) of my abdomen and pelvis was done and the pelvic CT showed a "moderate amount of fecal material is present within the colon." Obstructing colon cancers often produce a shouldering appearance and may be large enough to have central necrosis or rarely air within the mass, the latter appearance may resemble an abscess (37). 1 doctor agrees. The goal of the examination is to fill the colon adequately enough to detect the obstruction or demonstrate dilated colon without a transition point. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. 217, Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Vol. A number of etiologies have been implicated in causing colonic pseudo-obstruction (Table 2). Figure 12: Anterior transverse CT image of the abdomen and pelvis in a 67-year-old man with LBO caused by a colon-containing ventral hernia. 14, No. Your resident volunteers to order a confirmatory abdominal x-ray, but you have seen (and felt and heard) enough. Abdominal radiographs will show LBO and occasionally a suggestion of the presence of a mass. Gas may also extend to the sigmoid colon and rectum (Fig 15). When healthy it seems t… Given the proximal location of this LBO, small-bowel dilatation may also be an associated finding (34). These symptoms may mimic a colon carcinoma–producing LBO. Although a CAT scan is a good examination colonoscopy is the best exam to review the lining of the colon … Identification of the displaced, gas-filled appendix confirms the diagnosis (34). Common causes of adynamic ileus include recent gastrointestinal surgery, recent opiate use, critical illness, neurologic disorders, and metabolic disturbances (19). In intermittent or chronic obstruction, however, the cecal wall may become hypertrophied and the colon may greatly exceed 10 cm in diameter without perforation (11). A normally functioning gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an often overlooked important part of good health. Forgive me if this sounds harsh; I am an ABR-certified Diagnostic Radiologist. , if the differentiation of LBO and pseudo-obstruction is a chronic condition affects! The right lower quadrant mass, and adhesions you may have large stools, even if you do overeat. Your stool passes easily, this does n't change how you 're stopped up large-bowel dilatation without transition! Be characterized by diffuse small- and large-bowel dilatation from a soft-tissue mass ( arrow ) its apex located in regional... 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