CT OF SMALL-BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

The diagnosis of intestinal obstruction is established or suspected on clinical grounds, and it is usually confirmed with plain abdominal ra diography. Because of significant limitations in the clinical and init ial radiographic evaluations, antegrade or retrograde contrast-enhance ment (barium, water-soluble media) studies are being additionally requ ested for about 20-30% of patients [1-6]. In the past few years, the s teady advances in technology, technique, and interpretation have incre ased the value of CT in diagnosing and evaluating intestinal obstructi on [7-10]. Although the precise role and contribution of CT are still being investigated and remain controversial, its significant clinical impact is already generally accepted. For patients thought to have mec hanical intestinal obstruction who have confusing clinical and convent ional radiographic findings, CT is currently used as a complementary i maging study, in direct competition with the more traditional gastroin testinal contrast-enhanced examinations generally used. The potential contribution of CT and its role, advantages, and limitations in the di agnosis and evaluation of intestinal obstruction are explored.