Strangulating bowel obstruction

Last revised by Vikas Shah on 12 Apr 2020

Strangulating or strangulated bowel obstruction refers to ischemia and/or infarction of an obstructed loop of bowel. It is most commonly seen in the setting of closed loop obstruction. 

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Strangulation complicates ~15% (10-23%) of bowel obstructions 1,2,4.

Strangulation can be caused by 3,4:

The most specific finding of a strangulated bowel loop is reduced mural enhancement (~95%) and the most sensitive finding is mesenteric fluid (~90%) 1.

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