Computed Tomography in Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding represents a serious clinical problem and a common cause of hospitalisation with a mortality rate of 6-10% for upper Gastrointestinal bleeding and of 4% for lower Gastrointestinal bleeding requires a multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists, endoscopists, surgeons and radiologists. Gastrointestinal bleeding is self-limited in 80% of cases requiring only supportive measures. However, the persistence of bleeding represents a diagnostic challenge to locate the site of bleeding especially in severe bleeding and to determine, if possible its cause. This will allow to select the most appropriate therapeutic approach in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality, the length of hospitalisation and the transfusion requirements. Current diagnostic algorithms vary widely from institution to institution and from clinician to clinician. Imaging modalities remain the mainstay of the diagnostic approach. They include endoscopy, video capsule, radionuclide imaging, catheter angiography and multidetector computed tomography imaging. In recent years, Multidetector computed tomography has emerged as a promising technology to evaluate Gastrointestinal bleeding. The modality's ease of use and rapid results favour its use in any emergent situation. In addition, today's high-speed, narrow collimation multi-detector technology allows a large coverage area with minimal motion artifacts, with the ability to capture both arterial and venous phase with ease. Multidetector computed tomography is being increasingly used as this is a widely available, non-invasive and fast diagnostic technique that allows for visualisation of the entire intestinal tract and its lesions, the identification of vascularity and possible vascular abnormalities.