IMAGING OF THE SMALL-INTESTINE

Endoscopy is not yet a practical procedure for examining the small int estine. A variety of radiological techniques are available for investi gating suspected small intestinal disorders. Plain radiographs are the initial procedure in patients who present acutely, and barium studies are mostly used in the patients who present less acutely. Enteroclysi s (small bowel enema) is proving to be an accurate barium technique. C omputed tomography (CT) is useful in certain cases, particularly in es tablished intestinal obstruction, while angiography and radionuclide s tudies can be extremely useful in suspected intestinal bleeding. Ultra sound has a limited role in the investigation of intestinal disorders.