Published online Aug 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i8.613
Revised: April 15, 2014
Accepted: July 18, 2014
Published online: August 28, 2014
Processing time: 197 Days and 19.5 Hours
Like other parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), duodenum is subject to a variety of lesions both congenital and acquired. However, unlike other parts of the GIT viz. esophagus, rest of the small intestine and large intestine, barium evaluation of duodenal lesions is technically more challenging and hence not frequently reported. With significant advances in computed tomography technology, a thorough evaluation including intraluminal, mural and extramural is feasible in a single non-invasive examination. Notwithstanding, barium evaluation still remains the initial and sometimes the only imaging study in several parts of the world. Hence, a thorough acquaintance with the morphology of various duodenal lesions on upper gastrointestinal barium examination is essential in guiding further evaluation. We reviewed our experience with various common and uncommon barium findings in duodenal abnormalities.
Core tip: Barium evaluation of duodenal pathologies is technically more challenging than rest of gastrointestinal tract. Barium study still forms an initial and integral part of evaluation as it provide useful clues to the diagnosis and guide further evaluation. This article should alert the radiologist to consider various common and uncommon duodenal pathologies in the correct clinical setting to guide the clinician for further investigations to ensure correct diagnosis and enable appropriate treatment.