Current concepts in imaging of small bowel obstruction

Despite recent advances in abdominal imaging, intestinal obstruction remains a difficult disease entity to diagnose accurately and treat [1-3]. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common clinical condition, often presenting with signs and symptoms similar to those seen in other acute abdominal disorders. Once intestinal obstruction is suspected based on the patient's clinical history and physical examination, diagnostic imaging is charged with the task of verifying the presence of obstruction and providing cogent information on the site, severity, and probable cause of the obstruction. By providing this broad range of anatomic information, imaging impacts directly on patient management, specifically addressing the crucial question of whether a trial of nonoperative therapy should be instituted rather than resorting to immediate surgery because of the possibility of strangulation [4,5]. Because of its ability to provide important anatomic and functional information, radiology has become a vital tool in the clinical decision making of patients with known or suspected SBO. This article examines current concepts in the imaging of SBO.