Bowel obstruction diagnostic study of choice
|
Bowel obstruction Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Surgery |
|
Case Studies |
|
Bowel obstruction diagnostic study of choice On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Bowel obstruction diagnostic study of choice |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Bowel obstruction diagnostic study of choice |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]
Overview
There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction, but bowel obstruction can be diagnosed based on plain X-ray and CT scan. An x-ray is performed when obstruction is suspected with clinical findings of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal distension and constipation. The results of plain X-ray that confirm of bowel obstruction include dilated bowel loops with air-fluid level, distal collapsed bowel, gasless abdomen or alternatively, "string of pearls" sign. The results of CT that confirm of bowel obstruction include dilated bowel loops with air-fluid level and distal collapsed bowel. Initially, an X-ray is usually performed before surgical intervention. If urgent intervention is not needed and the diagnosis is equivocal, then a CT may be carried out.
Diagnostic Study of Choice
Study of choice:
- There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction, but bowel obstruction can be diagnosed based on plain X-ray and CT scan.[1][2][3]
- The following result of plain x-ray is confirmatory of bowel obstruction:
- Dilated bowel loops with air-fluid level
- Distal collapsed bowel
- Gasless abdomen or alternatively, "string of pearls" sign
- The X-ray should be performed when:
- The patient is suspected of needing intervention and presents with symptoms of obvious distress, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain and constipation.
- The following result of CT scan is confirmatory of bowel obstruction:
- Dilated bowel loops with air-fluid level
- Distal collapsed bowel
- Additional signs:
- "Target sign" – indicates intussusception
- "Whirl sign" – indicates volvulus
- "Venous cut-off sign" - indicates thrombosis
- Additional signs:
- It should be noted that bowel obstruction may be diagnosed based on clinical presentation alone.
The comparison table for diagnostic studies of choice for bowel obstruction[4]
| Sensitivity | Specificity | |
|---|---|---|
| CT | 93% | 100% |
| X-ray | 50% | 75% |
Sequence of Diagnostic Studies
- The plain X-ray should be performed when:[5]
- The patient is suspected of needing intervention and presents with symptoms of obvious distress, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain and constipation.
- CT scan is performed when:
- The patient is not in need of immediate intervention
- The diagnosis is equivocal
- To identify specific site, severity of obstruction (complete or partial), etiology and complications
Diagnostic Criteria
There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction.
References
- ↑ Catena F, Di Saverio S, Kelly MD, Biffl WL, Ansaloni L, Mandalà V, Velmahos GC, Sartelli M, Tugnoli G, Lupo M, Mandalà S, Pinna AD, Sugarbaker PH, Van Goor H, Moore EE, Jeekel J (2011). "Bologna Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction (ASBO): 2010 Evidence-Based Guidelines of the World Society of Emergency Surgery". World J Emerg Surg. 6: 5. doi:10.1186/1749-7922-6-5. PMC 3037327. PMID 21255429.
- ↑ Markogiannakis H, Messaris E, Dardamanis D, Pararas N, Tzertzemelis D, Giannopoulos P, Larentzakis A, Lagoudianakis E, Manouras A, Bramis I (2007). "Acute mechanical bowel obstruction: clinical presentation, etiology, management and outcome". World J. Gastroenterol. 13 (3): 432–7. PMC 4065900. PMID 17230614.
- ↑ Mullan CP, Siewert B, Eisenberg RL (2012). "Small bowel obstruction". AJR Am J Roentgenol. 198 (2): W105–17. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.4998. PMID 22268199.
- ↑ Suri S, Gupta S, Sudhakar PJ, Venkataramu NK, Sood B, Wig JD (1999). "Comparative evaluation of plain films, ultrasound and CT in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction". Acta Radiol. 40 (4): 422–8. PMID 10394872.
- ↑ Thompson WM, Kilani RK, Smith BB, Thomas J, Jaffe TA, Delong DM, Paulson EK (2007). "Accuracy of abdominal radiography in acute small-bowel obstruction: does reviewer experience matter?". AJR Am J Roentgenol. 188 (3): W233–8. doi:10.2214/AJR.06.0817. PMID 17312028.