The main finding for this case is that of shock bowel.

Shock bowel is a radiological phenomenon which is often found in patients who are severely hypotensive post trauma. It is characterized by bowel segments with submucosal edema and intense mucosal enhancement ¹.

Treatment of shock bowel is usually supportive. Without appropriate support, it has significant clinical implications as untreated shock bowel can have a mortality of up to 70% ². Moreover, its radiological appearance can sometimes be confused with traumatic bowel injury and bowel ischemia - conditions which mandate immediate operative management.

In this patient, the loops of bowel appear edematous, enhance heterogeneously and appear 'rippled' in nature. This is a classical feature of shock bowel.

Case contributed by A/Prof. Pramit Phal.