Presentation
Acute abdominal pain, constipation and nausea for one day.
Patient Data
Age: 65 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Small bowel obstruction
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There are dilated small bowel loops, with diameter 3.04 (> 2.5 cutoff of small bowel diameter).
From the case:
Small bowel obstruction
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Dilated small bowel loop with multiple air-fluid level suggestive of small bowel obstruction.
Case Discussion
Ultrasound of small bowel obstruction help to facilitate patient management, as it can be performed bedside, cheap, lacks ionizing radiation and need for contrast material.
Findings suggestive of small bowel obstruction:
- dilated bowel loop (diameter > 2.5 cm)
- reduced bowel peristalsis
Findings suggestive of bowel ischemia / infarction (will need urgent surgical evaluation):
- fluid-filled distended bowel with extraluminal free fluid between bowel loops
- no peristalsis
- bowel wall thickening > 3mm