BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To prospectively evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) in the detection of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented with hematochezia and were clinically suspected of CDB were prospectively enrolled. Those who could undergo both CE-CT and total colonoscopy, and who were finally diagnosed as CDB, were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases were finally included in the analysis. The detection rate of CDB by CT was 15.4 % (8/52). Univariate analysis showed that the interval from the latest episode of hematochezia to the performance of CT and the presence of a past history of CDB were contributing factors for detection. The interval was 1.6 ± 4.6 h (mean ± SD) in patients detected by CT, and 3.4 ± 3.2 h in those without detection. The detection rate of CDB by total colonoscopy was 38.5 % (20/52). The overall detection rate was 46.2 % (24/52), which was superior to what CT or colonoscopy alone achieved. CONCLUSIONS: CE-CT may play a complementary role to colonoscopy in patients with suspected CDB, but is not recommended for all cases due to its low detection rate. Patients who can be examined within 2 h of last hematochezia would be candidates for urgent CT.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To prospectively evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) in the detection of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented with hematochezia and were clinically suspected of CDB were prospectively enrolled. Those who could undergo both CE-CT and total colonoscopy, and who were finally diagnosed as CDB, were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases were finally included in the analysis. The detection rate of CDB by CT was 15.4 % (8/52). Univariate analysis showed that the interval from the latest episode of hematochezia to the performance of CT and the presence of a past history of CDB were contributing factors for detection. The interval was 1.6 ± 4.6 h (mean ± SD) in patients detected by CT, and 3.4 ± 3.2 h in those without detection. The detection rate of CDB by total colonoscopy was 38.5 % (20/52). The overall detection rate was 46.2 % (24/52), which was superior to what CT or colonoscopy alone achieved. CONCLUSIONS:CE-CT may play a complementary role to colonoscopy in patients with suspected CDB, but is not recommended for all cases due to its low detection rate. Patients who can be examined within 2 h of last hematochezia would be candidates for urgent CT.
Authors: Rory L Smoot; Christopher J Gostout; Elizabeth Rajan; Darrell S Pardi; Cathy D Schleck; William S Harmsen; Alan R Zinsmeister; Theresa Nolte; L J Melton Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 10.864