Lead pipe colon - ulcerative colitis

Case contributed by Bahman Rasuli
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Chronic abdominal pain and rectal bleeding for two years.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
Fluoroscopy

Abnormal findings in the colon include a lack of normal haustral markings, giving it a featureless appearance, known as a lead pipe appearance.

No stenoses or masses are present.

No evidence of fistula formation. 

The ascending colon appears normal with preserved normal haustral folds.

Case Discussion

Colonoscopy and biopsy revealed ulcerative colitis as an inflammatory bowel disease.

The lead pipe appearance of the colon is the classic radiographic finding in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).

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