[Computerized tomography for the study of lesions of the digestive system wall]

The authors investigated the role of CT in the study of intrinsic mural pathologic conditions originating from submucosal/muscular layers and of extrinsic conditions due to extraintestinal disease with secondary spread to the alimentary tract. According to the various diagnostic problems, either hypodense contrast agents (air, corn-oil emulsion, and water) or hyperdense contrast agents (iodine solutions, and barium suspensions) can be used to fill intestinal guts. Normal intestinal wall thickness does not exceed 5 mm. In case of intrinsic mural conditions, CT allows tumor extent to be evaluated, and, on the basis of densitometric values, makes the diagnosis of lipoma possible. As for intrinsic conditions (varices), CT yields specific findings. This is not the case with intestinal infarction, intramural hematoma, and phlogistic conditions, where CT generally shows aspecific parietal thickness. As for extrinsic mural conditions, CT demonstrates alimentary tract involvement due to phlogistic/neoplastic extraintestinal conditions, for it allows intestinal guts to be depicted, and the adjacent organs and structures. CT is a complementary method to conventional radiology and endoscopy which has given an excellent contribution to the study of mural pathologic conditions.