Acute Small Bowel Pathology: Spectrum of Nonneoplastic Diseases on CT

Abstract

Acute abdomen with clinical suspicion of small bowel pathology is a common indication for CT imaging. Acute processes may result from a variety of entities, including infectious, noninfectious inflammatory, neoplastic, mechanical, iatrogenic, and vascular causes. However, CT imaging features of acute small bowel diseases often can overlap. Therefore, combining clinical history, laboratory data, and current and previous imaging features is key to accurate diagnosis. Familiarity with the various causes of acute small bowel pathology will allow the radiologist to help guide clinical management of patients.