Gastrointestinal wall thickening in patients with cirrhosis: Frequency andpatterns at contrast-enhanced CT

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and patterns of gastrointestinal wall t hickening at contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in patient s with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists retrospectively assessed the cont rast-enhanced abdominal CT scans of 77 patients with cirrhosis and 100 pati ents without cirrhosis for gastrointestinal wall thickening from the stomac h through the descending colon. The frequencies of wall thickening were det ermined in the cirrhosis and in the control groups and were compared by usi ng the Fisher exact test. The segmental distribution, symmetry, and enhance ment pattern were evaluated in all patients with cirrhosis and gastrointest inal wall thickening. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal wall thickening was seen in 49 (64%) patients wit h cirrhosis and in seven (7%) control subjects (P < .005). The jejunum and ascending colon were the most common sites of gastrointestinal wall thicken ing; each was involved in 32 (42%; 95% CI: 30%, 53%) patients. The scans of 30 (61%; 95% Cl: 47%, 75%) patients with gastrointestinal wall thickening showed multisegmental distribution. Gastrointestinal wall thickening was co ncentric and homogeneous in all patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal wall thickening is common on contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans in patients with cirrhosis. It frequently involves mult iple segments. The jejunum and ascending colon are the most common sites of involvement.