Rapid diagnosis of neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis) by ultrasonography.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (also termed typhlitis) is an acute necrotizing process involving segments of the large and small intestine that occurs in the setting of agranulocytosis, most commonly in patients with acute leukemia. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is necessary for survival. We present a patient in whom abdominal ultrasonography revealed evidence of bowel wall thickening and ascites, confirming the diagnosis of neutropenic enterocolitis. Sonography offers a rapid, safe, and noninvasive means of diagnosis for this condition.