Bowel wall thickening is a finding on imaging where part of the small or large intestine looks thicker than expected.
It does not itself cause symptoms, but the underlying cause may produce abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the stool, weight loss, or fever.
Imaging shows where the thickening is, how long the affected segment is, and whether the pattern suggests inflammation, infection, ischaemia, or a tumour.
CT and MR enterography assess the bowel wall; ultrasound can help in younger patients and pregnancy; endoscopy and biopsy may follow if needed.
Treatment depends entirely on the cause — antibiotics for infection, medications for inflammatory bowel disease, surgery for ischaemia or tumour.
This entry explains the word. If it appeared on your report, the next step is getting that report interpreted for your case.
