Influence of sex, age and body mass index on healthy colon anatomy

Objective: This study analyzes the influence of sex, age and body mass index on the anatomy of the colon as determined by three-dimensional reconstructions from computed tomography scans. Methods: 130 patients were included, each of whom underwent a three-dimensional reconstruction of the colon from abdominal CT scans without obvious signs of pathology. Information corresponding to sex, age and body mass index was obtained from each patient, and morphometric data obtained from measurements taken at the pubic symphysis, superior and inferior mesenteric artery, hepatic angle, splenic angle, ileocecal junction and sigmoid-descending colon junction were considered. Results: Morphological analysis showed an important anatomical variability of the reconstructed colon. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the measurements obtained when grouping subjects by sex, age (under 65 years vs over 65 years) and body mass index (normopese, overweight and obese). Conclusions: Colon anatomical variations can be studied with three-dimensional reconstructions from CT scans, indicating that sex, age and body mass index have a significant influence on such variability.