Towards a radiologic definition of idiopathic megacolon

Measurements of bowel width and rectal area were used to define normal limits of size in 50 double-contrast barium enema films. Two types of patient with constipation were defined by comparison with these results. In 18 women with prolonged whole-gut transit time, the measurements were within the no...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inGastrointestinal radiology Vol. 10; no. 2; p. 167
Main Authors Preston, D M, Lennard-Jones, J E, Thomas, B M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.1985
Subjects
Chronic Disease
Constipation - diagnostic imaging
Female
Humans
Male
Megacolon - diagnostic imaging
Radiography
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Measurements of bowel width and rectal area were used to define normal limits of size in 50 double-contrast barium enema films. Two types of patient with constipation were defined by comparison with these results. In 18 women with prolonged whole-gut transit time, the measurements were within the normal range. Of 11 men and 9 women with a previous radiologic diagnosis of idiopathic megacolon, all had an enlarged rectum and the abnormal width extended proximally to involve the colon for a variable distance. A width of 6.5 cm at the pelvic brim provides a convenient and discriminating separation of normal from abnormal.
ISSN:0364-2356
DOI:10.1007/bf01893094