Clinical Assessment of Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Tract Perforation and its Location by Ultrasound

Objective:To study the characteristic of direct sonography in gastrointestinal tract perforation and explore new sonographic method for diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract perforation.Methods:The patients suspected of gastrointestinal tract perforation were examined firstly by radiography and conventional examination of the ultrasound,and then subjected to indirect and direct sonography by the experienced examiner.The findings of ultrasound were correlated with those of surgical operation.Results:In 64 patients with gastrointestinal tract perforation,direct signs were observed in 57 cases by ultrasound (89%).Of 57 cases,46 showed the site of perforation (71%).Direct signs were found in 37 cases by X-ray (58%).Conclusion:Ultrasound shows the direct signs and the site of perforation in gastrointestinal tract perforation,and its sensitivity is higher than X-ray.Ultrasound examination of gastrointestinal tract should be a routine preferred method for gastrointestinal tract perforation.