title: An initial experience: using helical CT imaging to detect obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
abstract: Obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common but frustrating disease for clinicians because of its elusive nature despite extensive work-up. We evaluate the role of helical computed tomography (CT) imaging using rapid infusion of intravenous contrast and water as oral contrast in the work-up of patients who are actively bleeding. Helical CT may be a useful noninvasive, alternative study to consider when routine work-up fails to determine the cause of active GI bleeding. Our preliminary study shows that helical CT was able to identify a wide variety of causes of obscure GI bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. fmiller@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Frank H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Caroline M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008551:Melena / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014867:Water