Abdominal CT detects malignant causes of iron deficiency anemia
Last Updated: August 16, 2004



NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In asymptomatic patients over age 50 with
iron deficiency anemia, computed topography (CT) seems to be as good
as endoscopy in identifying gastrointestinal malignancies, results of
a prospective comparison study suggest. However, CT misses many of
the superficial mucosal lesions that might be involved.


Dr. Michael Lishner and colleagues at Meir Hospital in Kfar-Saba,
Israel, recruited 48 patients with iron deficiency anemia but no site-
specific symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, constipation or abdominal
pain. The 48 patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy,
colonoscopy and CT scans with contrast.

CT was able to detect all 12 cases of colonic and gastric
malignancies that were diagnosed by endoscopy. It also identified a
patient with a right-sided colonic carcinoma, and one with a tumor of
the small intestine.

But except for hiatal hernias, CT did not show other benign lesions,
such as gastritis, polyps, ulcers or angiodysplasia.

"Thus, CT scanning may be useful in selected asymptomatic elderly
patients with iron deficiency anemia who have comorbid diseases or
who refuse, or have contraindications for, endoscopy," Dr. Lishner
and his associates conclude.





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