Spontaneous intramural small bowel haemorrhage: importance of non-contrast CT

Clin Radiol. 1997 May;52(5):378-80. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9260(97)80133-x.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the abdominal CT findings in patients with spontaneous intramural small bowel haemorrhage. We retrospectively reviewed the abdominal CT scans of six patients with known intramural small bowel haemorrhage. All of the patients had an underlying coagulopathy. All six patients underwent CT examinations without oral or intravenous contrast media. All six non-contrast CT scans showed hyperattenuation of the involved bowel segments, with thickened and dilated proximal small bowel. Therefore, patients who are clinically at risk for intramural small bowel haemorrhage should undergo a non-contrast CT scan of the abdomen prior to the routine oral and intravenous contrast-enhanced scan. In most cases the non-contrast scan will provide definitive diagnostic information which may not be evident from the contrast-enhanced scan alone.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / complications
  • Duodenal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Duodenal Diseases / etiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hematoma / etiology
  • Humans
  • Jejunal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Jejunal Diseases / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*