Spiral CT demonstration of hypervascularity in Crohn disease: "vascular jejunization of the ileum" or the "comb sign".
OBJECTIVE
To report spiral CT imaging features of the vascular alterations observed in active, early, or recurrent Crohn disease of the small bowel and colon.


METHODS
Spiral CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis following oral and intravenous contrast were performed in two cases of active Crohn disease.


RESULTS
Spiral CT features of hypervascularity involving the mesenteric vessels of affected segments of bowel include vascular dilatation, tortuosity, and conspicuous prominence and wide spacing of the vasa recta (the "comb" sign). This is attributed to the factors of increased flow and the fibrofatty proliferation in the mesentery and serosa of the affected bowel.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical application of these observations may enhance the diagnosis of Crohn disease presenting initially or as an acute recurrence in the differential diagnosis from other conditions.
Meyers
M A
MA
Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook 11794-8460, USA.
McGuire
P V
PV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007082:Ileum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine