Relationship Between Colon Wall Thickness in Computed Tomography Scan and Colon Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the colonoscopic findings of patients with increased colonic wall thickness (ICWT) detected by abdominal computed tomography (CT) and to define the effectiveness of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) together with colonic wall thickness in predicting malignancy. Methods: Data of patients who underwent abdominal CT for any reason between January 2017 and August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Records of patients with ICWT in the abdominal CT report were retrospectively analysed. Patients whose colon wall thickness could be measured and who were evaluated with colonoscopy and biopsy within 1-3 months after CT were included in the study. Haemoglobin (hb), albumin, NLR, PLR and MPV values, colon wall thickness and colonoscopy and biopsy results were recorded. Results: Ninety-seven patients had ICWT data on CT. The colonic wall thickness and presence of positive lymph node were significantly higher in the malignancy group (p<0.001). Similarly, values of hb, NLR, PLR and MPV were different in the malignancy group (p<0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristics analysis, colon wall thickness over the 8.5 mm threshold value was a significant factor in predicting colon cancer (p<0.001). Conclusion: In patients who do not have a history of gastrointestinal injury or disease, the incidental detection of ICWT >8.5 mm may be an important finding for a possible diagnosis of colon cancer.