Research Article CODEN: IJPRNK ISSN: 2277-8713 Rajdeep Chhina, IJPRBS, 2015; Volume 4(6): 180-187 IJPRBS

Background & objectives: The small intestine is a difficult organ to examine by clinical or radiographic means. There is a vast array of pathologic processes that occurs in the small bowel and mesenteric vasculature. With advent of CT especially with MDCT the small bowel imaging has grown by leaps and bounds with radiologists playing a key role nowadays in determination of the disease process and its degree of severity. Material & Methods: A total of 50 cases between the age group 18-70 years presenting with pain abdomen or other features of small bowel disease, referred for CT examination from various wards, Intensive care units and OPDs were included. CT enterography in all patients was carried out on Somaton definition AS+ with 128 slice CT machine by Siemens Germany Std with a gantry rotation speed of 0.5 second, tube current of 100-350 mA, reconstruction increment of 1.0 mm and slice thickness of 5.0 mm. Results: Out of the 50 cases referred for CT enterography, majority were males (54%) and belonged to the age group 21-30 years (24%). Chronic pain abdomen was the most common clinical presentation. On CT enterography, 27 (54%) and 15 (30%) of the cases were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and intestinal tuberculosis respectively. Nonspecific findings were seen in 8 (16%) of the patients. Mural thickening (80%) and mucosal hyperenhancement (60%), multiple segment involvement (75%) were the most common findings on CT enterography, with ileum being the most common site involved in diagnosed cases of Crohn’s disease, whereas in diagnosed cases of intestinal tuberculosis, mural thickening (70%), mucosal hyperenhancement (50%) and free fluid (50%), single segment involvement were the most common findings on CT enterography, with ileum (70%) and ileo-caecal junction (40%) being the common sites involved. Interpretation & Conclusion: CT enterography is an excellent diagnostic tool for the study of small bowel disorders. It offers the additional benefit of assessing abdominal and pelvic structures other than the small intestine. Multi-slice CT enterography is a valuable and complementary addition to endoscopy/pathology in the diagnosis of small bowel disorders.