To identify the use of computed tomography scan,as a valid tool for diagnosis of mechanical gut obstruction at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi,Pakistan

Aim: to study the role of computed tomography (ct scan) in pre diagnosed cases of gut obstruction,and its implications for future diagnosis of gut obstruction via this modality. method: the type of study is a retrospective analysis of cases of laparotomy patients who had a pre operative ct scan done,over a period of 3 years from 2010 to 2013. we reviewed the patient's files and records,which contained all information regarding the patient,including but not bound to their demographics,complete history and physical examination,and surgical notes. laparotomy is currently the gold standard for diagnosis of gut obstruction,we compared the results and pattern of ct scans to determine the predictability of this modality as a tool for diagnosis for mechanical gut obstruction. the data was analyzed using spss version 19.0. results: we conducted our study on 110 patients,as they had the most reliable and complete data,out of the 303 patients reviewed. the mean age of the patients was 50+/-21 years and out of them 77(66.36%) were males and 33(33.64%) were females. all 110 patients had mechanical bowel obstruction as diagnosed on the operating table during the laparotomy procedure,and out of those 102 were diagnosed with mechanical bowel obstruction,using the ct scan modality. the sensitivity and specificity of ct scan as a diagnosing tool for obstruction being 93%. the reasons for obstruction included adhesions (40%),tumors (17%) and hernias (10%). correct identification of the cause of obstruction via the use of ct scan was seen in 81(74%) of cases. conclusion: the use of the ct scan modality is a reliable tool,for diagnosis of gut obstruction,with regards to its sensitivity and specificity. but its role is limited as it fails to show the cause or etiology of the obstruction.