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Towards a radiologic definition of idiopathic megacolon

Gastrointestinal Radiology volume 10, pages 167–169 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mark's Hospital, City Road, EC1V 2PS, London, England

    David M. Preston,  John E. Lennard-Jones & Brian M. Thomas

Authors
  1. David M. Preston
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  2. John E. Lennard-Jones
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  3. Brian M. Thomas
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Preston, D.M., Lennard-Jones, J.E. & Thomas, B.M. Towards a radiologic definition of idiopathic megacolon. Gastrointest Radiol 10, 167–169 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01893094

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01893094

Key words

  • Colon, radiography
  • Megacolon, diagnosis