OBJECTIVETo compare the diagnostic value of double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) and multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) for small intestinal tumors.

METHODSThe clinical data of 88 patients with small intestinal tumor who underwent DBE and MDCT examinations during January 2010 and December 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic value of DBE and MDCT for small intestinal tumor was compared.

RESULTSThe positive rate of small intestinal tumors by DBE (92.0%, 81/88) was significantly higher than that of MDCT (75.0%, 66/88,<0.01). The positive rates for malignant small intestinal tumors by DBE and MDCT were the same (91.1%), but the rate of histological qualitation was higher in DBE than that in MDCT (94.1% vs 76.5%,=6.331,<0.05); the positive rates for benign tumors or the tumors <3 cm in diameter by DBE were significantly higher than those by MDCT (96.8% vs 48.4%, 88.2% vs 47.1%, respectively,=18.235 and 13.170, both<0.01); also DBE had a higher positive rate for small intestinal tumor presenting gastrointestinal bleeding (97.2% vs 77.8%,=6.222,<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnostic value of small intestinal tumor by DBE is significantly higher than that of MDCT. The combination of two methods may improve the diagnostic accuracy for small intestinal tumor.