A review of the radiological imaging modalities of non-traumatic small bowel obstruction

Abstract

Small bowel obstruction is a common clinical presentation that presents a diagnostic conundrum. Over the last 2 decades, there has been a paradigm shift in the radiological investigation of small bowel obstruction (SBO) and in the indication for and timing of surgical intervention. Cross sectional imaging (predominantly computed tomography) has largely replaced the widespread use of radiographic small bowel follow-through studies as the imaging modality of choice for SBO. This article illustrates the current imaging modalities available for diagnosis of small bowel obstruction. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2015; DOI: /10.1080/20786190.2014.977052