Abstract: Purpose:To discuss the utility of MDCTE for evaluating diseases of the small bowel.Materials and methods:At our institution,118 patients(male 53;female 65;mean age 48.5 years) with symptoms of suspected small bowel diseases underwent 256-MDCTE.Pertinent MDCTE and histopathology reports were reviewed.The CT appearances characteristic of small-bowel tumor,inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions affecting the small bowel are described and illustrated in detail.Associated complications and extraenteric manifestations also are described.Results:Of 118 MDCTEs performed,the sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of visual assessment for small bowel disease were 78.87%(56/71),100%(47/47),100%(56/56),75.80%(47/62),and 87.29%((56 + 47)/118),respectively.Conclusion:Our results demonstrated that MDCTE with oral and intravenous contrast is useful in assessing small bowel diseases;however,further studies are needed to determine and validate the full diagnostic and clinical potential of bowel imaging at MDCTE.