title: Erroneous diagnosis of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in cystic fibrosis: clinical impact of abdominal ultrasonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use of abdominal ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four case reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult cystic fibrosis centre (140 patients).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four cystic fibrosis patients presenting over 18 months with clinical symptoms suggestive of a DIOS which could not be substantiated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases abdominal ultrasound was valuable in making a diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominal ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating a DIOS from other abdominal conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Leyenburg Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dik
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nicolai
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schipper
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Heijerman
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bakker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography