PDF herunterladen
Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2020; 33(02): 082-086
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400474
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Physical, Laboratory, Radiographic, and Endoscopic Workup for Clostridium difficile Colitis

Samantha J. Baker
1   Department of General Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Daniel I. Chu
2   Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
› Institutsangaben
Funding The authors do not have any financial disclosures or conflict of interest. This research was not supported by any funding agency.
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
25. Februar 2020 (online)

Auch verfügbar auf
  Lizenzen und Reprints

Abstract

Clostridium (reclassified as “Clostridioides”) difficile colitis is a common nosocomial infection associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Like many clinical encounters, a focused history and physical examination will help to guide initial management. Further laboratory testing will assist with diagnosis through stool studies, and blood tests, such as white blood cell counts and serum creatinine, can help to stratify patients into illness severity groups for treatment decisions. Radiographic evaluation can be helpful in patients with severe disease and concern for complicated colitis. Endoscopic evaluation should be carefully considered in patients with suspected mucosal injury secondary to infections and plays a role when an alternative diagnosis is suspected. Treatment options depend on the clinical presentation and can range from antibiotic therapy to emergent surgery to fecal transplantation for recurrent episodes. Care for these patients is often challenging, but through a systemic workup the appropriate treatment may be delivered.

Keywords

Clostridium difficile - C. difficile - pseudomembranous colitis - endoscopy