Role of Multislice Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Intestinal Obstruction

Role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction 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 30 patients were included in this study. They were referred to the Radiology Department for multidetector CT assessment having following symptoms and signs: Abdominal Pain, vomiting, constipation, Abdominal distension and tenderness Results Mechanical causes were the dominant (80 %) in the referred patients with bowel obstruction. Adhesive intestinal obstruction and obstructed hernias are the main causes of small bowel obstruction in our study. Cancer was the cause in large bowel obstruction. 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.