Clinical significance of bowel wall thickening on computed tomography in HIV- infected patients : association of anemia and hypoalbuminemia

Computed tomography scanning of the abdomen and pelvis is a frequently used procedure. Advanced technol- ogy and the availability of superior scanning instruments [such as helical or multidetector scanners (MDCT)] have made detection of subtle gastrointestinal tract disorders facile. Thickening of the gastrointestinal or bowel wall is an increasingly recognized abnormality seen on comput- ed tomography (CT) scanning of the abdomen and pel- vis. Normally, on CT scanning of the abdomen, esopha- geal wall thickness is not greater than 5 millimeters (mm) in thickness (1), the stomach wall is usually less than 3 mm (2) or 5 mm (1) in thickness, the duodenal wall is less than 3 mm (2), the small bowel wall is less than 4 mm, and the colonic wall is less than 3 mm (1,2).