Which imaging technique is likely to show bowel wall thickening in ischemic colitis?

The use of a CT scan is particularly effective in diagnosing ischemic colitis due to its ability to provide detailed cross-sectional images of the abdomen. In cases of ischemic colitis, the CT scan can reveal bowel wall thickening, which is a key characteristic of inflammation and edema resulting from inadequate blood supply to the colon. This thickening may be accompanied by other findings such as fat stranding and sometimes even the presence of pneumatosis intestinalis, indicating more severe ischemia or necrosis.

While other imaging modalities can be helpful in certain scenarios, they do not provide the same level of detail for assessing bowel wall integrity and perfusion. An X-ray might show indirect signs such as air-fluid levels or bowel dilation but is not specific. MRI has limited use in acute gastrointestinal situations due to longer acquisition times and is not commonly utilized in emergency settings. Ultrasound is useful in assessing certain abdominal conditions but may not give a clear view of bowel wall changes in ischemic colitis. Thus, CT is the preferred imaging technique in this context.