title: Small-bowel enema in the diagnosis of adhesive obstructions.
abstract: The small-bowel enema was evaluated in 60 patients in whom a final diagnosis of adhesive obstruction was made by surgery or on the basis of clinical findings. Distinctive radiographic and clinical features were found with single versus multiple bands. While 72% of 32 single-band obstructions were graded as severe, this grading was given to only 34% of 18 obstructions by multiple bands. Extensive adhesions were demonstrated in 10 patients and presented varied radiographic features. The radiographic diagnosis of adhesive obstruction was found to be correct in 36 (87.8%) of 41 patients in whom a surgical diagnosis could subsequently be made. However, an incorrect radiologic diagnosis of obstruction by metastases was made in five patients. They form the basis for a discussion of the differential diagnosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate