title: Value of CT in the discrimination of fatal from non-fatal stercoral colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical presentation and physical signs may be unreliable in the diagnosis of stercoral colitis (SC). This study evaluates the value of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing fatal from non-fatal SC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients diagnosed as SC were obtained from inter-specialist conferences. Additional 13 patients with suspected SC were identified via the Radiology Information System (RIS). These patients were divided into two groups; fatal and non-fatal SCs. Their CT images are reviewed by two board-certified radiologists blinded to the clinical data and radiographic reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SC occurred in older patients and displayed no gender predisposition. There was significant correlation between fatal SC and CT findings of dense mucosa (p = 0.017), perfusion defects (p = 0.026), ascites (p = 0.023), or abnormal gas (p = 0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of dense mucosa were 71%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. These figures were 75%, 79%, and 77% for perfusion defects; 75%, 80%, and 78% for ascites; and 50%, 93%, and 78% for abnormal gas, respectively. Each CT sign of mucosal sloughing and pericolonic abscess displayed high specificity of 100% and 93% for diagnosing fatal SC, respectively. However, this did not reach statistical significance in diagnosing fatal SC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT appears to be valuable in discriminating fatal from non-fatal SC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency and Critical Care Radiology, Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Hsien
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chen-Chih
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Li-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yon-Cheong
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Chao-Jan
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wan-Chak
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Being-Chuan
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yung-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Chuen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsueh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003092:Colitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media