| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction: Submucosal lesions of the colon are disorders with different causes that share similar clinical manifestations. Recently, the detection of these lesions has risen due to the improvement of diagnostic methods. Most submucosal lesions are asymptomatic and present with nonspecific findings during endoscopic examinations. However, delayed diagnosis can lead to potentially dangerous complications. Therefore, accurate and complication-free differential diagnosis is essential. Computed tomography is an excellent method for differentiating submucosal lesions due to its non-invasiveness and quick execution. Methods: A detailed literature review was performed to emphasize the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic aspects of submucosal lesions. Focusing on the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography, the specific features of selected submucosal lesions were examined. The study presents a clinical case of a submucosal lesion to illustrate the practical use of computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of rare pathologies. Results: A review of the latest literature identified diagnostic challenges and highlighted the key aspects of differential diagnosis using computed tomography. The main features of submucosal lesions that assist in diagnosis during computed tomography include lesion localization, shape, CT density, and contrast enhancement characteristics. Localization helps to determine the most common pathologies in that specific part of the colon. Shape and size can indicate the potential malignancy of the lesion or possible complications. The nature of the attenuation and contrast enhancement help assess the lesion's structure. Conclusions: Submucosal lesions of the colon represent a wide spectrum of pathologies. Their differential diagnosis is complicated due to the long asymptomatic period and the absence of specific morphological features in the early stages. Performing a computed tomography scan is essential to obtain as much additional information as possible, which can be useful in differential diagnosis. |
