Sentinel loop

Last revised by Raymond Chieng on 24 Mar 2023

A sentinel loop is a short segment of adynamic ileus close to an intra-abdominal inflammatory process. It is usually identified on abdominal radiography 4 and CT 3.

The sentinel loop sign may aid in localizing the source of inflammation. For example, a sentinel loop in the upper abdomen may indicate pancreatitis, whilst one in the right lower quadrant may be due to appendicitis 2.

Levita first reported on Sentinel loop in 1946 in cases of acute gallbladder disease, acute appendicitis, and subhepatic abscess on the supine abdominal radiograph. In 1950, Grollman applied the Sentinel loop as a sign of acute pancreatitis 3.

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