The Colon and Appendix

The appendix and colon are usually readily apparent gastrointestinal structures in lieu of their position and shape: appendix recognized by its tubular, blind-ending structure arising from the cecum, and colonic loops identified by the haustral folds. Although it seems simple by these descriptions, the contents within the colonic loops, peristalsis, and the extent of distention at the time of imaging examination can limit evaluation and characterization of a colonic pathology. In this chapter, we aim to describe the various imaging modalities used in the evaluation of appendix and colonic pathologies with explanations of why they are the best for a given indication. We also describe the various appendiceal and colonic pathologies, their imaging appearances, and how the management varies based on the imaging presentation.