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Related Experiment Videos

Closed-loop and strangulating intestinal obstruction: CT signs.

E J Balthazar1, B A Birnbaum, A J Megibow

  • 1Department of Radiology, New York University, Bellevue Medical Center, NY 10016.

Radiology
|December 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Computed tomography (CT) can identify signs of closed-loop intestinal obstruction and strangulation. Specific CT findings, including bowel loop configuration and signs like the whirl sign, aid in diagnosis, correlating with surgical outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Closed-loop intestinal obstruction is a surgical emergency.
  • Strangulation can lead to bowel ischemia and infarction.
  • Accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in identifying closed-loop intestinal obstruction and strangulation.
  • To correlate CT findings with surgical and pathological results.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 19 patients with closed-loop intestinal obstruction.
  • Review of CT scans by two radiologists.
  • Correlation of CT findings with surgical and pathological diagnoses.

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Main Results:

  • CT identified signs of closed-loop obstruction in 15 patients, associated with specific bowel loop configurations (U-shaped, whirl sign, beak sign).
  • CT detected signs of strangulation in 10 of 16 patients, indicated by bowel wall changes (thickening, high attenuation, target sign) and mesenteric abnormalities.
  • CT findings of ischemia or infarction suggest strangulation, but their absence does not exclude it.

Conclusions:

  • CT is valuable in diagnosing closed-loop small bowel obstruction and associated strangulation.
  • Specific CT signs can predict the presence and severity of obstruction and strangulation.
  • CT findings should be integrated with clinical presentation for optimal patient care.