title: Acute gastrointestinal bleeding: contrast-enhanced MDCT.
abstract: With the introduction of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), CT is being considered a potential diagnostic method for patients with acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. On arterial phase MDCT images, active GI bleeding is typically identified as a focal area of high attenuation within the bowel lumen, which represents a collection of contrast material that has been extravasated in association with arterial bleeding. Additional CT findings suggestive of acute GI bleeding are focal dilatation of fluid-filled bowel segment noted on contrast-enhanced CT and acute hematoma on unenhanced CT. In addition to detection of active bleeding, an advantage of contrast-enhanced MDCT is the ability to demonstrate morphologic changes in the GI tract, which could suggest specific conditions that cause acute GI bleeding such as intestinal tumors. Arterial phase contrast-enhanced MDCT is rapid, noninvasive, and accurate in detecting and localizing sites of bleeding in patients with acute GI bleeding. Contrast-enhanced MDCT may be a promising diagnostic option in patients with acute GI bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, 8 Hak-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-757, South Korea. radyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003287:Contrast Media; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media