Intestinal obstruction - Role of CT

This article provides the necessary background in imaging information for the consulting gastroenterologist to diagnose and properly manage small and large bowel obstruction. The emphasis is on computed tomography diagnosis; however, it is in the context of the other imaging modalities available, including plain film barium studies, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. The discussion proceeds from the general problem of small bowel obstruction to the more specialized problems in diagnosis in dealing with specific entities such as the postoperative patient and patients with Crohn's disease. Colonic obstruction is dealt with separately.