Intestinal obstruction

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Digestive system	Ileus - X-ray of bowel distension	Ileus - X-ray of distended bowel and stomach	Intussusception - x-ray
Small bowel obstruction - X-ray	Small bowel resection - series	Volvulus - X-ray

Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal

• Abdominal fullness, gaseous
• Abdominal distention
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Vomiting
• Failure to pass gas or stool (constipation)
• Diarrhea
• Breath odor

While listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope your health care provider may hear high-pitched bowel sounds at the onset of mechanical obstruction. If the obstruction has persisted for too long or the bowel has been significantly damaged, bowel sounds decrease, eventually becoming silent.

Early paralytic ileus is marked by decreased or absent bowel sound.

Tests that show obstruction include:

• Barium enema
• Abdominal CT scan
• Upper GI and small bowel series
• Abdominal film

Review Date: 07/28/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.