The added value of MDCT enterography using oral lactulose solution in detection, characterization, and guiding management of small bowel disorders

Abstract

Abstract Background Small bowel variable symptoms present a diagnostic challenge for both gastroenterologists and radiologists due to SI length, overlapping serpentine course and continuous motility. CT enterography was introduced in the last two decades as the cornerstone imaging modality in diagnosing small bowel disorders using a mixture of an oral solution containing water and a gastrointestinal diluting agent. This study aims to demonstrate the added value of MDCTE in evaluating and guiding the management of small bowel disorders in order to reduce SI-related morbidity and mortality. Results Data analysis of 80 patient records involved in this study demonstrated the high accuracy of MDCTE in detecting different small bowel disorders and their related pathologies, confirmed by laboratory and histopathological analyses. Conclusions MDCT enterography with oral lactulose solution is now the mainstay of imaging in the detection, characterization, and guiding management of small bowel disorders with great value of low-dose techniques in CD patient’s follow-up in order to reduce ionizing radiation exposure.

Keywords

• Small intestine (SI)
• CT enterography (CTE)
• Crohn’s disease (CD)
• Lemmel syndrome
• Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA)
• Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS)