Role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Objective The objectives of the study are to discuss the usefulness of multidetector computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of intestinal obstruction and the underlying causes. Background CT has become a mainstay in diagnosing bowel obstruction. Since the management of obstruction has dramatically changed with a decrease in the proportion of patients who need surgery, a precise CT evaluation is now both the gold standard and the common approach in patients with suspected bowel obstruction. Materials and methods Twenty patients were included in this study. They were referred to the Radiology Department, Menoufia University, in the period from July 2014 to November 2015. These patients were referred for multidetector CT assessment complaining of one or more of the following symptoms: inability to pass stools, constipation, acute abdomen, vomiting, and nausea. Results Mechanical causes were the dominant (95%) in the referred patients with bowel obstruction. The dilated bowel loops in the referred patients were: 11/20 patients with small bowel dilatation (55%), 8/20 patients with large bowel dilatation (40%), and 1/20 patient with small and large bowel dilatation (5%). Adhesive intestinal obstruction and obstructed hernias are the main causes of small bowel obstruction in our study. Cancer sigmoid is the main cause of large bowel obstruction in our study. Conclusion Our results showed a very high sensitivity and specificity which had been at 100% mark. This study has confidently ascertained the role of MSCT in diagnosing and altering the treatment plans of a wide range of bowel obstruction causes.