Radiographic findings are similar to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Tuberculosis, Yersinia, Campylobacter and Salmonella typhosa have a predilection for the terminal ileum. Manifested by filling defects in the small bowel. The most accurate diagnostic procedure is a stool assay for C. difficile cytotoxin. Most patients have no underlying primary colon disease.
Barium enema shows a characteristic mucosal pattern that is shaggy and irregular.
Percutaneous drainage of abscesses secondary to diseased bowel has proven beneficial, especially those associated with diverticulitis. Standard surgical therapy often entails a two stage or three stage procedure. Because of the presence of infection, primary anastomosis of the bowel cannot usually be performed at the initial operation. Percutaneous drainage of a peri-appendicular abscess offers avoidance of an operation for abscess drainage, temporization in extremely ill and high risk patients, simplification of appendectomy which is made elective and reduced hospital stay and procedure cost. CT is the modality for catheter guidance with peri-appendicular abscesses since it best displays loops of bowel, synchronous collections of fluid and interloop extension of the abscess.