CT enteroclysis: multidetector technique (MDCT) versus single-detector technique (SDCT) in patients with suspected small-bowel Crohn's disease.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to evaluate the diagnostic role of enteroclysis with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and single-detector CT (SDCT) in patients affected by small-bowel Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Forty-five patients underwent abdominal SDCT (n=20) or 16-row MDCT (n=25) after administration of methylcellulose by nasojejunal tube. Each examination was assessed for small-bowel distension and site and characteristics of the diseased loops. The two CT techniques were then compared. Results were compared with double-contrast enteroclysis performed in all patients and with ileoscopy performed in 28 patients.


RESULTS
In comparison with double-contrast enteroclysis, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were 90%, 71% and 89% for SDCT and 92%, 83% and 90% for MDCT. Ileoscopy confirmed the absence of disease in five patients and the presence of Crohn's disease in 20. Compared with SDCT, MDCT reduced scanning time and respiratory artefacts and permitted better multiplanar reconstructions.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT is superior to SDCT because it allows a better spatial resolution and improves depiction of the pathological patterns of Crohn's disease.
Minordi
L M
LM
Dipartimento di Bioimmagini e Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. lauraminordi@virgilio.it
Vecchioli
A
A
Poloni
G
G
Bonomo
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008747:Methylcellulose; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide; D008747:Methylcellulose