Conventional radiography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction and strangulation

Ninety-six patients, 45 men and 51 women (mean age 39 years, range 13-90 years), with clinically acute abdomen were examined by conventional abdominal radiography and ultrasonography during a period of one year. Ultrasonography was performed with a linear transducer, which permitted study of morphology and motility of small bowel loops: distention, paralysis, intramural thickening, and extraluminal fluid. Nineteen cases of mechanical obstruction (9 simple and 10 of strangulation type) were observed. In the strangulation group ultrasonographic findings were positive in 91% whereas conventional radiography solely was positive in 30%. In the simple obstruction, 89% and 78%, respectively, were correctly diagnosed by the 2 techniques. Ultrasonography is recommended as a routine examination beside conventional abdominal films in acute abdomen.