Published in:
01-02-2013 | Gastrointestinal
Helical CT-enteroclysis in the detection of small-bowel tumours: a meta-analysis
Published in: European Radiology | Issue 2/2013
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Objective
To perform a meta-analysis to determine sensitivity and specificity estimates of helical CT-enteroclysis in the detection of small-bowel tumours.
Methods
A search for relevant articles published from January 1992 to November 2010 was performed. Study design, patient characteristics and 2 × 2 contingency tables were recorded for eligible studies. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I
2 statistic. A bivariate generalised linear random-effects model was used to summarise sensitivity and specificity estimates for small-bowel tumour detection on a per-patient basis. Sensitivity and specificity estimates were compared in different subgroups.
Results
Twelve studies (696 patients) were eligible. The mean small-bowel tumour prevalence was 22.6 % (range 7.7–45.8 %). Inter-study heterogeneity was substantial for sensitivity (I
2 = 66.9 %; 95 % CI 28.7–88.5 %) and low for specificity (I
2 = 10.6 %; 95 % CI 0.0–55.0 %). On a per-patient basis, pooled sensitivity was 92.8 % (95 % CI 71.3–98.5 %) and pooled specificity 99.2 % (95 % CI 94.2–99.9 %) for the diagnosis of small-bowel tumour. Subgroup analysis revealed that small-bowel preparation, more than one imaging pass and large volumes (≥2 L) of enteral contrast agent did not improve tumour detection.
Conclusion
Our meta-analysis confirms that helical CT-enteroclysis has high degrees of sensitivity and specificity for small-bowel tumour detection. However, our findings reinforce the need for more standardised individual studies.
Key Points
• Helical CT-enteroclysis is highly sensitive for the diagnosis of small-bowel tumours.
• Helical CT-enteroclysis is highly specific for the diagnosis of small-bowel tumours,
• Helical CT-enteroclysis can be used as a first-line investigation.
• A single enteric phase examination provides optimal tumour detection.