Efficacy of computed tomography for the prediction of colectomy and mortality in patients with clostridium difficile infection

- CT predictor scale for the need for colectomy in patients with CDI.
- Abnormal wall thickening, pancolitis and bowel dilation predicted colectomy.
- A five parameter radiological scale was developed with sensitivity and NPV of 100%.
- Abnormal wall thickening increased likelihood of death within 30 days of CDI diagnosis.

Aim.To develop a CT predictor scale for the need for colectomy and to evaluate predictors of all-cause mortality within 30 days after diagnosis ofC. difficile infection (CDI).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of adult hospitalized patients whounderwent abdominal CT within 72 h of diagnosis of CDI.ResultsPresence of abnormal wall thickening in caecum (OR 8.0; CI 1.37-46.81; p = 0.021), transverse colon (OR 6.7; CI 1.15-35.60; p = 0.034), sigmoid colon (OR 12.6; CI 1.37-115.97; p = 0.025), pancolitis (OR 7.0; CI 1.36-36.01; p = 0.02) and bowel dilation (OR 16.5; CI 2.41-112.83; p = 0.004) predicted colectomy. With these values, a five parameter radiological scale from 0 to 24 was developed (sensitivity and NPV of 100%, cut-off of 6). Furthermore, wall thickening of caecum (OR 6.2; CI 1.06-35.57; p = 0.043), ascending colon (OR 12.0; CI 1.29-111.32; p = 0.029), descending colon (OR 17.0; CI 1.81-160.05; p = 0.013) and sigmoid (OR 10.2; CI 1.10-94.10; p = 0.041) independently predicted mortality within 30 days of CDI diagnosis.ConclusionWe designed a CT scale to predict colectomy, able to rule out the development of fulminant colitis and the need for surgical procedure. Patients with wall thickening of the caecum, ascending, descending or sigmoid colon were more likely to die within 30 days of CDI diagnosis.