Helical CT Evaluation of Acute Right Lower Quadrant Pain: Part I, Common Mimics of Appendicitis

Infectious Ileocolitis

Infectious ileocolitis is usually caused by Yersinia, Campylobacter , or Salmonella organisms. The characteristic CT features of infectious ileocolitis include wall thickening of the terminal ileum, cecum, and a portion of the ascending colon (Fig. 15) and enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes. Identification of the normal appendix and lack of periappendiceal fat stranding help to exclude appendicitis.

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45-year-old man with Salmonella ileocolitis. Axial CT scan shows thickened cecum (C) and terminal ileum ( arrows ), with latter mimicking abnormal appendix.

Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(4):1136-1142. © 2005 American Roentgen Ray Society