[Role of multidetector CT in the evaluation of large bowel obstruction].

The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of multidetector CT (MDCT) with MPR reformation in the evaluation of large bowel obstruction. Thirty-one patients were evaluated retrospectively in a blinded fashion by two radiologists. All patients underwent MDCT with multiplanar reformation (MPR). The two radiologists interpreted independently the axial images and then the reconstructions. Each patient received a score from 1 (absent occlusion) to 5 (confirmed occlusion). The results were compared with surgical findings. Both axial and MPR images showed a very high accuracy in the diagnosis of bowel obstruction with a significant advantage of MPRs over native images and without any difference between the two radiologists. MDCT is an accurate technique in the evaluation of large bowel obstruction and use of MPRs facilitates the interpretation of imaging findings.