Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Bowel obstruction, also known as intestinal obstruction, is a mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines which prevents the normal movement of the products of digestion. [2] [5] Either the small bowel or large bowel may be affected. [1] Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating and not passing gas. [1]
A fecal impaction or an impacted bowel is a solid, immobile bulk of feces that can develop in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation [1] (a related term is fecal loading which refers to a large volume of stool in the rectum of any consistency). [2]
Suspected bowel obstruction or gastrointestinal perforation; Abdominal x-ray will demonstrate most cases of bowel obstruction, by showing dilated bowel loops. [1] Foreign body in the alimentary tract; can be identified if it is radiodense. [1] Suspected abdominal mass [1]
Risk factors in children include certain infections, diseases like cystic fibrosis, and intestinal polyps. [1] Risk factors in adults include endometriosis, bowel adhesions, and intestinal tumors. [1] Diagnosis is often supported by medical imaging. [1] In children, ultrasound is preferred while in adults a CT scan is preferred. [1]
Frontal view of the abdomen with double bubble sign, patient was found to have duodenal atresia. In radiology, the double bubble sign is a feature of pediatric imaging seen on radiographs or prenatal ultrasound in which two air filled bubbles are seen in the abdomen, representing two discontiguous loops of bowel in a proximal, or 'high,' small bowel obstruction.
An acute appendicitis or twisted loop of the bowel may also be seen. If the picture is normal a functional cause such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be considered. In a healthy colon, barium should fill the colon uniformly and show normal bowel contour, patency (should be freely open), and position.
Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) imaging of the abdomen can confirm the diagnosis by demonstrating dilated loops of intestine with material in the intestinal lumen with bubbles. [1] Air-fluid levels may be seen in those affected by DIOS.
In patients with deranged liver function tests, ultrasound may show increased liver size (hepatomegaly), increased reflectiveness (which might, for example, indicate cholestasis), gallbladder or bile duct diseases, or a tumor in the liver. Ultrasonography of liver tumors involves two stages: detection and characterization.