Rectal fold thickness as an indicator of disease.
Rectal folds are seen best in the lateral view. Normal values for the thickness of the folds have been established by measuring these in patients with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome who had no evidence of rectal disease. In severe ulcerative colitis the valves disappear, but they are present earlier in the disease. The first barium enema examination in patients with ulcerative colitis was assessed. When the valve thickness could be measured in these patients it showed values significantly greater than normal. It is uncommon for this finding to be the sole indicator of disease. Patients with Crohn's disease of the rectum showed no increase in the fold thickness. This observation may be helpful in distinguishing between these two forms of colitis.
D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004733:Enema; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011349:Proctitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012007:Rectum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D001466:Barium Sulfate