CT diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in children

Objective To evaluate CT in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in children. Methods Thirty one cases with small bowel obstruction manifestations on CT and plain radiograph were analysed. The age ranged from 9 months to 14 years, male 17 cases, female 14 cases. There were 29 acute small bowel obstructions, and 2 chronic obstruction. Seven cases had history of previous abdominal operation. Results Corred diagnosis was made in 19 cases and 29 cases respectively by plain film and CT. The accurate etiologic diagnosis could be made by CT in 18 cases, including small bowell stone 4 cases, intussusception, 5 localized infection and adhesion 6 intraluminal bowel duplication, 1 congenital umbilical hernia, congenital malrotation of the intestine 1 case.Combined with history of abdominal operation the accurate CT etiologic diagnosis increased to 25 cases.There were 4 CT false negative cases and 2 plain film false negative cases. Conclusion The CT is obviously superior to plain radiograph in detecting strangulation and gas in bowel wall,better dilineating the transitional segment of bowel stenosis thereby demonstrating the case of obstruction which is very helpful for clinical management.