title: Optimized multidetector computed tomographic protocol for the diagnosis of active obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this feasibility study was to prospectively evaluate an optimized multidetector computed tomographic protocol for the diagnosis of active obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2006 and February 2008, patients admitted for active OGIB were included in this prospective unicenter study. Water was administered orally and rectally as neutral luminal contrast material. A contrast-enhanced 16-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was performed in the arterial and venous phases. Mesenteric digital subtraction angiography was carried out immediately after MDCT as standard of reference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients were included in this study. Multidetector computed tomography identified the bleeding site and source in 5 (83%) of the patients. Digital subtraction angiography was performed in 4 patients, and the result was positive in 1 (25%) of the patients. Multidetector computed tomography detected the site and source of bleeding in 2 patients whose digital subtraction angiographic result was negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this feasibility study indicate that optimized MDCT is an excellent diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of active OGIB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany. heiss.peter@web.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heiss
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zorger
authors.forename: Okka W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Müller-Wille
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herold
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schölmerich
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feuerbach
authors.forename: Christian E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wrede
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide; D003287:Contrast Media; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D002086:Butylscopolammonium Bromide