CT Enteroclysis

If chronic abdominal pain, mystery bleeding, or Crohn’s flare-ups are disrupting your life, CT Enteroclysis can give you answers—fast. At Cadabams Diagnostics we combine 128-slice CT technology with gentle contrast protocols to deliver razor-sharp images of your entire small bowel in under 30 minutes. No surgery. No overnight stay. Just reliable results that help your doctor plan the next step.

Definition and purpose

CT Enteroclysis is a specialised computed-tomography scan that distends the small intestine with a safe contrast agent, then captures ultra-thin cross-sectional images. The goal: detect ulcers, strictures, tumours, or hidden bleeding missed by routine scans.

How it differs from standard CT

• Enteroclysis uses a soft nasal tube to deliver contrast directly into the jejunum, giving uniform bowel distension.
• Standard CT drinks reach only the stomach and proximal bowel, often leaving distal loops collapsed and unseen.
• Result: 30 % higher detection rate for early Crohn’s lesions and small tumours.

Single-phase protocol

One scan 45 s after contrast infusion—ideal for general screening and follow-up.

Dual-phase protocol

Arterial phase at 25 s + enteric phase at 45 s—used when high suspicion of small-bowel tumours or active bleeding.

• Small-bowel wall thickness (normal ≤ 3 mm)
• Mucosal pattern: nodularity, ulceration, cobble-stoning
• Luminal diameter (collapsed vs dilated > 2.5 cm)
• Mesenteric fat stranding & lymph-node size
• Enhancement pattern: homogeneous, layered, or absent

1. Pinpoint source of obscure GI bleeding before capsule endoscopy
2. Stage Crohn’s disease activity and complications (fistula, abscess)
3. Rule out small-bowel tumours in patients with unexplained weight loss
4. Evaluate post-operative adhesions without repeat surgery

Common indications

• Persistent abdominal pain > 6 weeks
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia or occult GI bleeding
• Suspected partial small-bowel obstruction
• Follow-up after Crohn’s surgery or medication change

Age and health considerations

• Adults 18–80 y: routine eligibility
• Paediatrics: done only when requested by a paediatric gastroenterologist
• Elderly: kidney function must be eGFR > 45 ml/min

• 0.5 mm isotropic resolution—see lesions as small as 2 mm
• Non-invasive alternative to balloon enteroscopy or laparoscopy
• Same-day radiologist report + cloud access for your gastroenterologist
• Dedicated enterography radiologists with 15+ years’ experience

• Crohn’s disease & its complications
• Small-bowel adenocarcinoma, GIST, lymphoma
• Intestinal tuberculosis
• Intussusception and internal hernias
• Radiation enteritis

Dietary restrictions

• Clear liquids only 24 h before appointment
• 2 sachets of bowel prep dissolved in 1 L water at 6 pm the evening prior

Hydration guidelines

Drink 500 ml water at bedtime and 250 ml on waking to keep veins plump for contrast injection.

• Recent kidney function test (within 4 weeks)
• Serum creatinine & eGFR
• Allergy screening form (iodine, shellfish, prior contrast reaction)
• Beta-blocker or metformin pause checklist provided at booking

Morning slots (7–9 am) minimise fasting fatigue and allow a normal lunch. Arrive 8 h fasted; water only till 2 h prior.

Pregnancy considerations

CT Enteroclysis is avoided in pregnancy. A negative beta-hCG test is required for women of child-bearing age.

Pacemaker safety

CT does not interfere with pacemakers or orthopaedic implants.

1. A thin nasojejunal tube is inserted after local anaesthetic spray—takes 5 min, discomfort score 2/10.
2. Warm low-osmolar contrast is infused at 120 ml/min while you lie on a tilting table.
3. When bowel loops are optimally distended (confirmed on scout view), the 128-slice CT captures images in a single 6-second breath-hold.
4. Tube is removed; you rest 15 min, then resume normal activity.

• Declare any prior contrast allergy; we stock emergency meds and anaphylaxis kits.
• Mild claustrophobia? Ask for headphone music or a mirror visor; open-bore gantry available.

Effective dose is 4–6 mSv—equal to 8 months of natural background in India. Our iterative reconstruction software cuts dose by 40 % without losing image quality.

Contrast-related concerns

• Mild nausea 5 %
• Contrast allergy 0.5 % (premedication available)
• Contrast-induced nephropathy < 1 % if eGFR > 30