The efficacy of helical CT in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness and reliability of helical computed tomography (CT) for patients with small bowel obstruction.


METHODS
Helical CT findings of 41 patients were evaluated prospectively on the basis of the presence and the cause of obstruction, and the presence of strangulation.


RESULTS
In the determination of the cause of the obstruction sensitivity and specificity of CT were 84 and 90%, respectively. Of the 19 patients undergoing surgery, 6 had strangulation and were correctly identified by CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Helical CT is an accurate method in the detection of small bowel obstruction, especially for evaluating the cause and vascular complications of obstruction.
Obuz
Funda
F
Department of Radiology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. fobuz@deu.edu.tr
Terzi
Cem
C
Sökmen
Selman
S
Yilmaz
Erkan
E
Yildiz
Didem
D
Füzün
Mehmet
M
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
D003287:Contrast Media