Ultrasonographic bisection approximation method for gastrointestinal obstruction in ER
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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy in Malignant Biliary Obstruction
Published on: March 25, 2022
Cheng-Kuan Lin1, Han-Mo Chiu, Wan-Ching Lien
1Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
Background/Aims:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracies of using ultrasonography in determining the levels and causes of gastrointestinal obstruction in the emergency department.
Methodology:
229 patients who visited the emergency department with the clinical impression of gastrointestinal obstruction were studied. The gastrointestinal tract was systematically scanned from the anatomically fixed portions to movable portions in the peritoneum by "bisection approximation method". The obstructive levels and possible etiologies were investigated. The finding was correlated with final surgical or further radiological diagnosis.
Results:
The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography in determining the obstruction of gastrointestinal tract were 97%, 87% and 93%. In 150 patients with diagnosis of gastrointestinal obstruction by ultrasonography, the accuracies of predicting obstructive levels in the gastric outlet and duodenum, the jejunum and ileum, and the colon were 100%, 74%, and 98% respectively. 67%, 36%, and 78% of obstructive etiologies could be correctly judged in these segments respectively.
Conclusions:
Ultrasonography is a useful tool in the localization of obstructive levels and the determination of etiologies of gastrointestinal obstruction in the emergency room. It can guide physicians to choose further appropriate confirmation studies.
