Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42545483›Full record

ArticleAbdominal radiology (New York)2026

Diagnostic utility of a CT upper gastrointestinal protocol for the detection of gastroduodenal leaks.

Alexander R Moeller, Matthew H Lee, Meghan G Lubner, Perry J Pickhardt, C Patrick Shahan, Giuseppe V Toia

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Article in Abdominal radiology (New York), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Alexander R MoellerDepartment of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA. amoeller@uwhealth.org.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5333-5961
Matthew H LeeDepartment of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA.
Meghan G LubnerDepartment of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA.
Perry J PickhardtDepartment of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA.
C Patrick ShahanDepartment of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA.
Giuseppe V ToiaDepartment of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA. gtoia@uwhealth.org.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a novel CT upper gastrointestinal (UGI) protocol for detecting gastroduodenal leaks in patients who would typically undergo fluoroscopic UGI (fUGI).

methodsIn this retrospective cohort study, adult patients undergoing CT UGI between June 2022 and September 2025 were included. The protocol involved biphasic positive oral contrast administration 30 min and immediately prior to CT scanning in supine and right lateral decubitus positions. Study indication and CT findings were documented retrospectively; surgical findings and clinical follow-up served as reference standards. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were calculated. Mann-Whitney U tests compared length of stay (LOS) and imaging utilization by leak status.

resultsOne hundred fifty-seven patients (184 exams; mean age 62.8 ± 13.8 years; 86 females) were included; 93% of exams were performed for suspected leak. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 87%, 98%, 92%, and 97%, respectively. Among positive exams (36/184, 20%), extraluminal contrast, gas, and fluid collection were present in 75%, 78%, and 72% of cases versus 0%, 44%, and 24% in negative exams. Patients with confirmed leaks had significantly longer median LOS (26 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001) and greater imaging utilization (median 12 vs. 4 exams, p < 0.001).

conclusionThis CT UGI protocol demonstrates high specificity and NPV for gastroduodenal leak detection, supporting its utility for both suspected and routine postoperative leak evaluation.

Indexed as

Anastomotic LeakComputed Tomography (CT)Contrast MediaIntestinal PerforationUpper Gastrointestinal Tract

Identifiers

PMID42545483

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