Multidetector computed tomography: a corner stone imaging modality in evaluation of acute small bowel diseases

Background The diagnosis of acute small bowel diseases is one of the challenging issues that confronted by the radiologists so accurate diagnosis is essential to determine the appropriate way of management. CT has become the preferred imaging tool to evaluate acute small bowel diseases. Our study aimed to assess the role of MDCT in evaluation of acute abdomen secondary to small bowel origin by identification and differentiation between different acute small bowel pathologies. Results Thirty-eight patients presented with acute abdomen of small bowel origin from June 2019 to September 2019. The mean age of incidence was 48 ± 19 years ranged from 4 to 88 years. Males represented by 23 patients (60.5%). Acute exacerbation of inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease) represented by (34.2%), small bowel obstruction (31.6%), ischemic bowel diseases (21.1%), small bowel perforation (10.5%) and infectious (TB enteritis) small bowel disease (2.6%). MDCT had an overall high sensitivity (97.3%) in assessment of acute small bowel diseases in correlation with post-operative data and follow-up response to management. Conclusions MDCT is a reliable diagnostic imaging tool for assessment of patients with acute abdomen secondary to small bowel origin with high-efficiency in differentiation between different pathological entities that causing acute abdomen.

Role of Computed Tomography (CT) Enterography in the Evaluation of Small Bowel Diseases

BACKGROUND Small bowel imaging often questions clinicians due to its long, tortuous and undulating morphology. The current study was undertaken to establish the efficacy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) enterography in the evaluation of small bowel diseases using iso-osmotic mannitol as oral contrast agent. METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted among thirty patients (mean age 40 years; range 14 - 66 years), 16 males and 14 females presenting with clinical suspicion of small bowel diseases based on clinical, laboratory or other imaging investigations underwent CT enterography on a 128 slice CT scanner using isoosmotic mannitol as neutral enteral contrast. RESULTS Intestinal tuberculosis was the most common diagnosis. Non neoplastic cases predominantly showed segmental symmetrical involvement with target pattern of enhancement. Small bowel tumours (adenocarcinoma) were seen in 2 cases. Neoplasms were associated with focal asymmetrical involvement with heterogeneous enhancement pattern. Computerized tomography enterography (CTE) clearly depicted the site, level and cause of the obstruction in all the patients with a sensitivity and specificity of 96 % and 100 % respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of CTE in detection of small bowel diseases came out to be 98 %. CONCLUSIONS CT enterography is an effectual, non-invasive, well-tolerated, sensitive and specific imaging modality for the evaluation of small bowel diseases which provides superior assessment of the intraluminal, mural and extraintestinal pathologies. KEY WORDS CT enterography, mannitol, Tuberculosis, Small Bowel

Role of Intraoperative Endoscopy in the Management of Small Bowel Diseases

With the advances in the endoscopic technology, most of the small bowel diseases are being diagnosed by capsule endoscopy and device assisted enteroscopy. However, there are many clinical situations such as small bowel obstruction, foreign body impaction were these advanced endoscopic procedures cannot be performed. In such cases, intraoperative endoscopy plays a vital role in the management of these small bowel diseases. Intraoperative endoscopy is also very useful in identification of the site of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in difficult cases. Moreover, capsule endoscopy and device assisted enteroscopy are expensive procedures and not readily available at all medical centers especially in low income countries. On the other hand, intraoperative endoscopy can be easily performed by conventional gastroscope and colonoscope. In this chapter, we have discussed the indications, techniques, outcomes and complications of intraoperative endoscopy in the current era of deep enteroscopy.