Objective: The objective was to assess the diagnostic performance of 64-multidetector computed tomography (CT) for blunt small bowel perforation (BSBP).
Materials and methods: The study included 106 CT examinations of surgically proven blunt bowel and mesentery injuries (78 of BSBP and 28 of non-BSBP). CT diagnosis was based on detection of bowel wall discontinuity or extraluminal gas.
Results: Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CT diagnosis were 84.0%, 79.5%, 96.4%, 98.4%, and 62.8%, respectively. Bowel wall discontinuity and extraluminal gas were detected on 19.2% and 74.4% examination, respectively.
Conclusion: CT diagnosis of BSBP is highly specific but not sensitive.
Keywords: Abdominal injuries; Intestinal perforation; Intestine, small; Multidetector computed tomography.
© 2013.