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CT scan may show esophageal wall edema and thickening, extraesophageal air, periesophageal fluid with or without gas bubbles, mediastinal widening, and air and fluid in the pleural spaces, retroperitoneum or lesser sac. [citation needed]
The sensitivity of a CT scan is limited by its ability to detect masses (e.g. enlarged lymph nodes or involved organs) generally larger than 1 cm. [43] [44] Positron emission tomography is also used to estimate the extent of the disease and is regarded as more precise than CT alone. [45]
Barium X-ray examinations are useful tools for the study of appearance and function of the parts of the gastrointestinal tract. They are used to diagnose and monitor esophageal reflux, dysphagia, hiatus hernia, strictures, diverticula, pyloric stenosis, gastritis, enteritis, volvulus, varices, ulcers, tumors, and gastrointestinal dysmotility, as well as to detect foreign bodies.
Focal, irregular and asymmetrical gastrointestinal wall thickening on CT scan suggests a malignancy. [9] Segmental or diffuse gastrointestinal wall thickening is most often due to ischemic, inflammatory or infectious disease. [9] Though less common, medications such as ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema and small bowel thickening. [10]
CT image showing mesenteric ischemia with pneumatosis intestinalis and gas in mesenterial and liver veins. Computed tomography (CT scan) is often used. [29] [30] The accuracy of the CT scan depends on whether a small bowel obstruction (SBO) is present. [31] SBO absent. prevalence of intestinal ischemia 23%; sensitivity 64%; specificity 92%
A CT scan, often enhanced with contrast, can also be used to evaluate injuries. [ 1 ] The most common surgical methods of treatment in children include esophageal dilation and esophageal replacement as less commonly implantation of an esophageal stent.
Imaging usually confirms the diagnosis because a barium esophagram can show the location, size, and lateralization of the lesion. Although there are other modalities such as esophageal endoscopy, CT scan, and ultrasound, most clinicians rely on barium esophagram to make clinical decisions.
CT scans may show nodular and irregular thickening of the folds in the distal stomach and proximal small bowel, but these findings can also be present in other conditions like Crohn's disease and lymphoma. [citation needed]