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Clinical Significance of Incidental Colorectal Wall Thickening on Computed Tomography Scan in African-American and Hispanic Patients

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Abstract

We sought to assess the significance of an incidental finding of colorectal wall thickening (CRWT) on computed tomography (CT) scan in African-American and Hispanic patients. We retrospectively reviewed charts of African-American and Hispanic patients from January 1994 to December 2005. Those patients were included in whom the colonoscopy was performed due to incidental CRWT on CT scan. Patients with a history or a family history of colorectal malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal surgery, with an incomplete colonoscopic examination, or <18 years of age were excluded. Endoscopic and pathological findings were abstracted. Thirty-two patients met the criteria. Endoscopic examination was abnormal in 21 (65.6%). The positive predictive value of CRWT for abnormal endoscopic examination was 65.6%. Abnormal endoscopic examination revealed diverticulosis in 9 (43%), erythematous mucosa in 8 (38%), polyps in 6 (29%), mass in 2 (9%), thickened folds in 1 (5%), and diverticulitis in 1 (5%). Histopathological findings revealed colitis in 7 (33%), adenoma in 4 (19%), hyperplastic polyps in 4 (19%), adenocarcinoma in 2 (9%), lymphoid aggregates in 2 (9%), melanosis coli in 1 (5%), and normal in 1 (5%) in the abnormal examination group. Abnormal endoscopic examination was found in 65.6% of patients. The prevalence of colitis, adenomas, and malignancy was high, therefore abnormal CRWT warrants further endoscopic evaluation.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by NIH Grant 5R25RR019488-04. Part of this paper was presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2006. We are thankful to Dr. Yoshikawa and Dr. Anyadike for their valuable suggestions during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, UCLA School of Medicine, 12021 South Wilmington Avenue, MP 11, Los Angeles, California, 90059, USA

    Manmeet Padda, Jaydutt Vadgama, Anil Dev & Ioannis Giannikopoulos

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, 90059, USA

    Paramjit Sandhu

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  1. Manmeet Padda
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  2. Jaydutt Vadgama
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  3. Paramjit Sandhu
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  4. Anil Dev
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  5. Ioannis Giannikopoulos
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Correspondence to Manmeet Padda.

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Padda, M., Vadgama, J., Sandhu, P. et al. Clinical Significance of Incidental Colorectal Wall Thickening on Computed Tomography Scan in African-American and Hispanic Patients. Dig Dis Sci 52, 3159–3164 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9639-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9639-6

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