This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Investigation

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The investigations of worth in suspected bowel obstruction include:

  • routine bloods for any disturbances caused by the obstruction
  • abdominal radiographs:
    • supine - may show which piece of gut is obstructed
    • erect - may show fluid levels

A radiological diameter of the caecum of 12 cm or more implies that the ileocaecal valve is still patent, i.e. the increased pressure in the large intestine has not decompensated into the small intestine. This is a poor sign, and implies that there is imminent danger of rupture.

In large bowel obstruction of a less acute onset, a barium enema may help to demonstrate the nature of the obstructing lesion.

Note that in a small percentage of intestinal obstructions there is no abnormality seen on plain abdominal X-ray. This occurs when the bowel is completely distended with fluid in a closed loop and without the fluid levels produced by coexistent gas.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.