CT of the duodenum: An overlooked segment gets its due

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is frequently performed to evaluate gast rointestinal pathologic conditions, and the majority of the gastrointestina l radiology literature has concentrated on the colon, stomach, and distal s mall bowel. In a description of CT findings of duodenal pathologic conditio ns, congenital, traumatic, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases are presen ted. Congenital duodenal anomalies such as duplications and diverticula are usually asymptomatic, while annular pancreas and malrotation may manifest in the 1 st decade of life. CT plays a vital role in the diagnosis of traum atic duodenal injury. Primary inflammatory processes of the duodenum such a s ulcers and secondary involvement from pancreatitis can reliably be diagno sed at CT. Infectious diseases of the duodenum are difficult to diagnose, a s the findings are not specific. While small bowel malignancies are relativ ely rare, lipoma, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma, as well as local extension f rom adjacent malignancies, can be diagnosed at CT. Careful CT technique and attention to the duodenum can result in reliable prospective diagnoses.