Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of colonic diseases

Background: Early diagnosis of a luminal colonic disease is of essential clinical importance to start timely optimised therapy and detect complications early.Objectives: This paper aims to provide an overview of the use of radiological methods in diagnosing neoplastic and inflammatory luminal diseases of the colon. Characteristic morphological features are discussed and compared.Materials and methods: Based on an extensive literature review, the current state of knowledge regarding the imaging diagnosis of luminal pathologies of the colon and their importance in patient management is presented.Results: Technological advances in imaging have made the diagnosis of neoplastic and inflammatory colonic diseases using abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging the established standard. Imaging is performed as part of the initial diagnosis in clinically symptomatic patients, to exclude complications, as a follow-up assessment under therapy and as an optional screening method in asymptomatic individuals.Conclusions: Accurate knowledge of the radiological manifestations of the numerous luminal disease patterns, the typical distribution pattern and characteristic bowel wall changes are essential to improve diagnostic decision-making.