Sunitha Lingareddy MBBS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

D Nageshwar Reddy MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

G. V. Rao MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the role of contrast enhanced CT enteroclysis in depicting small bowel pathology

92 patients with symptoms of suspected small bowel pathology underwent CT enteroclysis. The indications for enteroclysis were subacute intestinal obstruction ( n=31), chronic abdominal pain (n=29), inflammatory bowel disease (n=15) and fever with weight loss (n=17). A naso enteric tube was positioned at the duodenojejunal junction under fluroscopic guidance and methylcellulose was infused by hand injection. CT enteroclysis images were obtained before and after intravenous administration of 100ml of iodinated contrast material with 3mm slice thickness and 1mm reconstruction interval. Findings were compared with the results of enteroscopy, surgery, histopathologic analysis or clinical followup.

Contrast enhanced CT enteroclysis was positive in 43 patients and negative in 49 patients. CT enteroclysis allowed the diagnosis of small bowel tumors (n=4), Crohn’s disease (n=5), Small bowel tuberculosis (n=10), SMV thrombosis (n=2), Celiac disease (n=1) and confirmed low grade small bowel obstruction (n=21).False positive findings occurred in 4/43(93%) patients and false negative findings in none. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive valve and negative predictive valve of contrast enhanced helical CT enteroclysis were 100%, 91.6%,90.7% and 100%.

With 100% sensitivity contrast enhanced helical CT enteroclysis is an excellent noninvasive imaging technique and should be considered as the first line modality in patient with suspected small bowel disease.

Contrast enhanced helical CT enteroclysis allows depiction of small bowel diseases in patients suspected of having small intestinal pathology.

Lingareddy, S, Reddy, D, Rao, G, Diagnostic Value of Contrast-enhanced CT Enteroclysis in Small Bowel Disease.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4437055.html