[Computerized tomography: its validity in the diagnosis of gastroenterologic diseases (author's transl)]

The development of faster CT-machines with scantimes below five seconds and the introduction of different techniques for CT examinations (e.g. application of oral and intravenous contrast material) have influenced diagnostic procedures in medicine. On the other hand there are only a few procedures that have been replaced by CT, e. g. pneumoventriculography, pneumoretroperitoneum. In gastroenterology well established diagnostic methods as ultrasound, ERCP, PTC, barium meal and barium enema are know to have a high accuracy. CT has to be compared with these techniques and therefore its value in the diagnostic spectrum is still under investigation. So far every single method has primary or secondary indications. But it should be the aim of further studies to minimize risk and radiation dose of diagnostic procedures. Using CT this is possible, especially in intraabdominal diseases. From the present knowledge the validity of CT in the diagnosis of gastroenterologic diseases is discussed. The given recommendations might change in the future as result of ongoing investigations, technical improvements, wider distribution of CT machines and broader experiences of physicians.