[Sonographic evaluation of early, radiologically negative intestinal obstruction]

Four cases of complete intestinal obstruction were diagnosed by sonography in an early, radiologically negative stage. The clinical benefit of this diagnostic procedure was assessed by comparison with 48 patients suffering from ileus and diagnosed by plain X-ray. Pertinent sonographic parameters are described and related to pathophysiological disorders occurring in obstructed bowel segments. When gaseous distention makes plain X-ray diagnosis feasable, the clinical condition of the patients deteriorates with synchronous disappearance of sonographic evidence of the disease. Thus, sonographic diagnosis may contribute to earlier treatment of this emergency situation.