Case of Small Bowel Obstruction - Manual of Medicine

Case of Small Bowel Obstruction

Post category:Spot Diagnosis - Case Asnwers
Post published:June 22, 2025

This post is an answer to the Case – Patient with Colicky Abdominal Pain

What radiological abnormalities can you identify on this radiograph ?

There are multiple dilated bowel loops roughly central abdominal in location.
Valvulae conniventes appearing as striations crossing completely across the width of the bowel loops.

Small Bowel Obstruction — Supine abdominal radiograph showing multiple dilated small bowel loops in small bowel obstruction. Note the concentric linear ‘bands’ running through the bowel wall: valvulae conniventes, and the LUQ location, suggest that these are dilated jejunal loops.

Diagnosis: Small Bowel Obstruction

Role of imaging in the evaluation of bowel obstruction

To confirm the diagnosis of bowel obstruction
To localize the site/level of obstruction
To detect obstructing lesions like adhesions, tumours, volvulus, hernia, etc.
To detect possible complications such as strangulation and bowel ischaemia/ infarct

READ MORE: Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department

SIMILAR CASES:

A 72-year-old Woman with Abdominal Pain, Nausea and Vomiting

Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction (Ogilvie’s syndrome)