[Evaluation of pathology of the small intestine by computed tomography. Apropos of 34 cases].

A retrospective study reviewed computed tomography imaging findings in 34 patients with affections of the small intestine. In 68% of cases lesions were demonstrated by the CT scan before any other investigation. Whether the lesions were benign or malignant tumors, inflammatory or infectious disorders or malformations, all images showed segmental or localized parietal thickening of 5 mm or more. In many cases this thickened wall was associated with an extramural mass or an increased attenuation value of adjacent mesenteric fat. Computed tomography is the only available method that provides reliable information on the importance of the intra-and extra-mural components of small intestine affections.