Computed tomographic enteroclysis with air and virtual enteroscopy: protocol and feasibility for small bowel evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We describe our optimized protocol for computed tomographic enteroclysis using air as the contrast material and report an early assessment of its clinical performance.

METHODS: Thirty-one examinations of computed tomographic enteroclysis with air were performed in 30 patients in our hospital from September 2008 to September 2010. The volume of injected air and intra-intestinal pressure were monitored in 16 cases. The data were reviewed for ratios of successful whole small bowel depictions out of the total number of examinations for patients without stenosis. Efforts were made to confirm depicted abnormal findings when possible by other imaging techniques, intra-operative findings, histopathological findings, and subsequent history.

RESULTS: The injected air volume and final intra-intestinal pressure were 2925 ± 686 ml and 24.5 ± 7.1cm H₂O in cases without stenosis. In 19 examinations with anterograde air injection for patients without stenosis, whole small bowel depiction was achieved in 16 (84.2%). Computed tomographic enteroclysis with air was useful for detecting strictures (in Crohn's disease, malignant lymphoma, metastatic carcinoma), Meckel's diverticulum, and for excluding other obstructive conditions in ileus.

CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomographic enteroclysis with air has a potential to enable the exploration of the whole small bowel, thereby providing information of small bowel lesions that complements other techniques.