[Ogilvie syndrome. Diagnostic and therapeutic attitude]

Ogilvie's syndrome (OS) is a clinical condiction with the symptoms, signs and radiological appearances of acute bowell obstruction but without any apparent mechanical cause. Diagnosis and treatment are often delayed and many patients are still inappropriately managed which in turn results in an increase in morbidity and mortality. We have reviewed our experience in eleven patients with OS in order to establish a system for their diagnostic and therapeutic management.