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Double contrast small-bowel radiography in the preoperative assessment of Crohn’s disease: Is it still useful?

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the usefulness of double contrast small-bowel radiography (SBR) in the preoperative assessment of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).

Methods

Thirty-nine consecutive patients who underwent surgery for CD between 2000 and 2004, preceded by a preoperative small-bowel series evaluation, were enrolled in our study. The radiologic findings were compared with the intraoperative findings.

Results

Small-bowel radiography was associated with good specificity and sensitivity for the detection of stenosis. Although its main limitation was a remarkable overestimation of stenosis, the main indications for surgery were always confirmed. Sensitivity and specificity were lower for the detection of internal fistulas and the correlation was significant only for SBR performed within 3 months of the operation; however, the concordance between radiological and operative findings was greater. No correlation was observed for the detection of an abdominal mass.

Conclusions

Small-bowel radiography is still reliable for evaluating stenoses and internal fistulas. However, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is mandatory to evaluate an abdominal mass.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Gastroenterologiche “P.G G. Cevese”, Università di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Imerio Angriman, Marco Scarpa, Cesare Ruffolo, Teresa Filosa, Lino Polese, Duilio Pagano, Lorenzo Norberto & Davide F. D’Amico

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Diagnostiche e Terapie Speciali, Università di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Fabio Pomerri

Authors
  1. Imerio Angriman
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  2. Marco Scarpa
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  3. Cesare Ruffolo
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  4. Fabio Pomerri
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  5. Teresa Filosa
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  6. Lino Polese
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  7. Duilio Pagano
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  8. Lorenzo Norberto
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  9. Davide F. D’Amico
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Angriman, I., Scarpa, M., Ruffolo, C. et al. Double contrast small-bowel radiography in the preoperative assessment of Crohn’s disease: Is it still useful?. Surg Today 38, 700–704 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3700-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3700-8

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