1. Evaluating suspected small bowel obstruction with the water-soluble contrast challenge
- Author
-
Edward M. Lawrence and Perry J. Pickhardt
- Subjects
Adult ,Radiography, Abdominal ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Colon ,Iohexol ,Administration, Oral ,Contrast Media ,Review Article ,Conservative Treatment ,Ct examination ,Intestine, Small ,medicine ,Humans ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Clinical efficacy ,Gastrointestinal Transit ,Intubation, Gastrointestinal ,Aged ,Diatrizoate Meglumine ,Aged, 80 and over ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Bowel obstruction ,Water soluble ,Treatment Outcome ,Radiology ,Triage ,business ,Algorithms ,Intestinal Obstruction - Abstract
With optimized technique, the water-soluble contrast challenge is effective at triaging patients for operative vs non-operative management of suspected small bowel obstruction. Standardized study structure and interpretation guidelines aid in clinical efficacy and ease of use. Many tips and tricks exist regarding technique and interpretation, and their understanding may assist the interpreting radiologist. In the future, a CT-based water-soluble contrast challenge, utilizing oral contrast given as part of the initial CT examination, might allow for a more streamlined algorithm and provide more rapid results.
- Published
- 2023