Roentgenographs Features in Antibiotic-Associated Pseudomembranous Colitis

Abstract

Four patients with pseudomembranous colitis, related to antibiotic therapy, had a wide spectrum of radiographic features. These ranged from mild, focal areas of mucosal irregularity to widespread involvement of the colon. The extensive mucosal irregularity at barium enema is caused by plaque-like elevated pseudomem-branes studding the mucosal surface and aopears to be a specific radiographic finding. Dissection of barium under the pseudo-membranes and intramural gas was observed in these patients. Case 2 had a complicated, massive colonic bleeding, unresponsive to pitressin infusion. Although pseudomembranous colitis is a well established pathological entity, the precise pathogenesis is still uncertain. Recently, an increasing number of patients have been described with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. The disease is also known to occur as a complication of colonic obstruction, staphylococcal overgrowth, following abdominal surgery and in generalized debilitating diseases, such as uremia, lymphoma and leukemia. We have examined four patients with pseudomembranous colitis associated with antibiotic therapy. A wide range of roentgenographs abnormalities was observed in these patients.