Value of CT in diagnosis of the perforation site of concealing gastrointestinal tract

Objective To study the value of CT in diagnosis of the perforation site of concealing gastrointestinal tract.Methods CT data about 16 patients with surgically and pathologically proven perforations of concealing gastrointestinal tract were retrospectively analyzed.Results Perforations of stomach or duodenal bulb,retroperitoneal duodenum,jejunoileum,perforated appendixes were found respectively in 9,2,2,and 3 out of the 16 patients.The CT findings in perforation sites of concealing gastrointestinal tract included free air,peritoneal cavity or retroperitoneal space fluid,segmental bowel wall thickening,local fluid accumulation,low injured intestinal wall density,high adjacent density hematoma,or attenuated local intestinal segment with a relatively enhanced neighbor.Conclusion CT can discover the perforation sites of concealing gastrointestinal tract.