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Role of contrast CT in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Ramesh Rajan1, Puneet Dhar, Raaj Kumar Praseedom

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala 682026, India. rameshmadhav2000@yahoo.co.uk

Digestive Surgery
|August 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen can help locate the source of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding when endoscopy is inconclusive. This imaging technique identified lesions in 86% of patients with temporarily stopped bleeding.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding presents diagnostic challenges in localizing the bleeding source.
  • The utility of computed tomography (CT) in evaluating these patients remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness of CT abdomen in localizing the source of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding over three years.
  • CT abdomen was performed on patients with normal endoscopies and clinically ceased bleeding, after other methods failed.

Main Results:

  • CT scans were performed on seven patients.
  • A bleeding lesion was identified in six of these patients (86% detection rate).

Conclusions:

  • CT abdomen shows promise as a valuable tool for localizing lesions in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Its utility is particularly noted when endoscopy fails and bleeding has temporarily subsided.
Abstract

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