Diagnostic performance of 64-MDCT for blunt small bowel perforation

ObjectiveThe objective was to assess the diagnostic performance of 64-multidetector computed tomography (CT) for blunt small bowel perforation (BSBP).Materials and methodsThe 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.ResultsAccuracy, 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.ConclusionCT diagnosis of BSBP is highly specific but not sensitive.