Figure 1.
Three degrees of SBO defined by MDCT images.
(a) “Low-grade partial” SBO. Note the moderate amount of gas and faeces in the ascending colon (arrows). (b) “ High-grade partial” SBO. Note the small amount of gas and fluid in the ascending colon (arrows). There is no evidence of small bowel wall thickening or ischemia. The maximal diameter of the obstructed fluid-filled small bowel (SB) is measured larger than 3.0 centimeter. (c) “Complete” SBO. Note the complete collapse of the ascending colon (arrows) with no appreciable gas or fluid.
Figure 2.
Coronal MDCT image shows faeces-like material mixed with gas bubbles and fluid at the distal small bowel (SB). The finding is frequently seen proximal to the site of obstruction. Mesenteric fatty infiltration (arrows) and small amount of intraperitoneal fluid (asterisk) are also observed.
Figure 3.
(a) Abdominal radiograph shows a C-shaped configuration of the bowel loops in the center of the abdomen, a finding that indicates closed-loop obstruction. (b) On coronal MDCT image, the affected loops (dotted line) are filled with gas. The stretched mesenteric vessels converging toward the site of torsion (arrow).
Figure 4.
Axial MDCT image shows the whirl appearance of twisted mesenteric vessels (arrow), supplying the obstructed small bowel (SB) lying laterally to the colon.
Table 1.
Comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters in the surgery and observation groups.
Table 2.
Comparison of MDCT features in the surgery and observation groups.
Table 3.
Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy values and odds ratio of MDCT features for predicting adhesion-related SBO requiring surgery.
Table 4.
Number of patients who would be identified by using combinations of MDCT findings to predict adhesion-related SBO patients requiring surgery.