Detection of gastrointestinal bleeding by using multislice computed tomography--acute and chronic hemorrhages

Clin Imaging. 2008 Jan-Feb;32(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2007.08.018.

Abstract

Nowadays, computed tomography (CT) is established for diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding. In this retrospective study, the use of CT in diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding was evaluated. Fifty-three patients received a contrast-medium-enhanced helical multislice CT (MSCT) to locate the bleeding site. Seventy-nine percent of the hemorrhage were acute gastrointestinal bleedings. Fifty-five percent of the acute hemorrhages were located via helical MSCT, 45% of the chronic bleeding sites were detected. Notably, bleeding of diverticula, tumors, and angiodysplasias were well demonstrated. In conclusion, contrast-medium-enhanced MSCT may be used effectively as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for detecting gastrointestinal bleedings.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Contrast Media
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Iohexol / analogs & derivatives
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Iohexol
  • iopromide