Jerome Hodel, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Marc Zins MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Loic Desmottes, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mourad Boudiaf MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marie Christine Julles, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Isabelle Boulay-Coletta MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the additional value of multiplanar reformations (MPR) in comparison with axial images for the location of the transition zone in CT of small-bowel obstruction (SBO).

Seventy-two consecutive patients with SBO underwent 16-slice MDCT (Lightspeed 16, GE) with a slice collimation of 1.25 mm. The gold standard for precise location of the transition zone was established in consensus by two experiment abdominal radiologists, unblinded to clinical and surgical reports, by reviewing all CT examinations. On a workstation (Advantage Windows, GE), two blinded readers independently located the transition zone using first axial slices alone and one month later MPR (axial, coronal, sagittal and oblique views) according to a three-point confidence scale (1: weak, 2: mild, 3: strong). Timing for each interpretation was recorded. Diagnosis accuracy, mean confidence score and mean time of interpretation were evaluated for both the transverse and multiplanar data sets. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test and the t Student test.

Accuracy for transition zone location for reader 1 and reader 2 was 81% and 79% with axial slices alone and 95% (p<0.01) and 81% (not significant) using MPR respectively. Mean confidence score significantly increased for both readers using MPR : 0.3 higher (p<0.05) and 0.44 higher (p<0.03) respectively. Mean axial interpretation time for both readers was 4.45 minutes ; mean MPR interpretation time was 4.25 minutes. There was no statistically significant difference in mean interpretation time between axial slices and MPR.

Multiplanar reformations increase accuracy and enhance confidence for location of the transition zone in CT of small bowel obstruction.

Multiplanar reformations in comparison with axial slices alone increase accuracy and enhance confidence for location of the transition zone in CT of small bowel obstruction.

Hodel, J, Zins, M, Desmottes, L, Boudiaf, M, Julles, M, Boulay-Coletta, I, Location of the Transition Zone in CT of Small Bowel Obstruction: Added Diagnostic Value of Multiplanar Reformations.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4438392.html