Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the role of CT enterography in detection and characterization of small bowel diseases.

Material and Methods: A total of 65 patients (mean age 41 years; range, 16-70 years), including 42 males and 23 females who were suspected of having small bowel disorders on the basis of clinical examination underwent CT enterography examination on a 64-slice CT Scanner prospectively using neutral oral contrast (Polyethylene glycol).

Results: The mean distensionof the small intestine was 1.8cm in jejunum and 2.3 cm in ileum. Out of 65 patients, 32 patients (49%) presented with abnormal small bowel thickening. Intestinal tuberculosis was the most common diagnosis in 11 cases (16.9%). Ileocaecal junction was involved predominantly in 81%cases and 81% cases of tuberculosis depicted homogenous enhancement with either focal (46%) or segmental (54%) involvement. Small bowel tumors were seen in 9 cases with majority of them adenocarcinoma (7 cases). Malignancy was associated with marked asymmetric thickening in 81%cases, focal thickening in 54% cases, and heterogenous enhancement in 91% cases.

Conclusion: CT enterography is an effective modality to evaluate small bowel disorders. It can not only assess mural and intraluminal small bowel pathologies but also assess extraintestinal findings so as to make correct diagnosis.

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Neeti Aggarwal

Associate Professor Radiodiagnosis