Presentation
Two days absolute constipation. Distended painful abdomen. Previous surgery.
Patient Data
Age: 80 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Adhesional small bowel obstruction
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Multiple dilated small bowel loops in the central abdomen up to 3cm.
Collapsed large bowel.
From the case:
Adhesional small bowel obstruction
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NG tube tip in a distended fluid filled stomach.
The small bowel is dilated and fluid filled down to a transition point in the proximal ileum to the right of the midline of the pelvis, at the site of a vascular whirl. Small bowel feces sign in several pelvic loops.
Small volume of fluid in the pelvis.
Solid organs normal.
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Case Discussion
The plain radiograph sign showing the dilated small bowel has a mollusc like appearance.
I am not aware of a snail sign, but if there was one it should be this.