Three-dimensional CT enterography using oral gastrografin in patients with small bowel obstruction: comparison with axial CT images or fluoroscopic findings.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the feasibility of 3D CT enterography using oral gastrografin in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO), focusing on improving diagnostic performance as compared with the use of axial CT imagings and fluoroscopic findings.


METHODS
For a 10-month period, 18 patients with known SBO detected clinically and radiologically were enrolled. In all patients, gastrografin was ingested prior to CT enterography. Twelve patients underwent a fluoroscopic examination. Images were randomly assessed for confidence for the level, for the cause of SBO, and for the assessment of the interpretability of each image by two gastrointestinal radiologists. The results were considered statistically significant using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.


RESULTS
All patients (100%) well tolerated the administration of oral gastrografin. The use of 3D CT enterography significantly improved diagnostic confidence for the interpretation of the level, cause of SBO, and the assessment of the interpretability of each image as compared with the use of axial CT images (P < 0.05). 3D CT enterography was superior as compared to fluoroscopic examination (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of gastrografin for 3D CT enterography is a safe and feasible technique for precise evaluation of known or suspected SBO.
Hong
Seong Sook
SS
Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. hongses@paran.com
Kim
Ah Young
AY
Kwon
Seok Beom
SB
Kim
Pyo Nyun
PN
Lee
Moon-Gyu
MG
Ha
Hyun Kwon
HK
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide