Delayed enhancement of the bowel wall: a new CT sign of small bowel strangulation.
OBJECTIVE
To report a new CT sign of small bowel strangulation.


METHODS
Two cases of small bowel obstruction evaluated by spiral CT with intravenous contrast injection.


RESULTS
In both cases we observed an absence of parietal enhancement of the diseased bowel loop, visible on early scans only. This feature was accompanied by signs of bowel obstruction. The two patients had a segment of necrotic ileum resected.


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed enhancement of a bowel loop in cases of small bowel obstruction should suggest the diagnosis of strangulation and lead to rapid surgical treatment.
Zalcman
M
M
Department of Radiology, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
Van Gansbeke
D
D
Lalmand
B
B
Braudé
P
P
Closset
J
J
Struyven
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media