CT for Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Primer for Residents

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common cause of hospitalization and non-invasive imaging techniques are increasingly utilized in their diagnostic workup. Understanding the appropriate imaging strategies for GIB can expedite therapy and lead to superior outcomes. Non-invasive imaging for GIB is complementary to endoscopy, but is an important secondary diagnostic tool when endoscopy results are inconclusive. This article summarizes the clinical evaluation of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding in the context of radiologic workup. It also provides a review of the non-invasive imaging modalities utilized in the workup of GIB with focus on computed tomography (CT) techniques, including the spectrum of imaging appearances of GIB.