title: Computed tomography of bowel obstruction: tricks of the trade.
abstract: Bowel obstruction (BO) is a frequent cause of hospitalization and surgical consultation for acute abdominal pain. It is usually suspected at physical examination, but clinical and laboratory data are often nonspecific. Thus, computed tomography plays a crucial role in a correct diagnosis of BO. Indeed, computed tomography can confirm a diagnosis of BO, and identify the location and cause of the obstruction. In this review, the computed tomography appearances of common and uncommon causes of BO and pseudo-obstruction are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Section of Radiological Sciences, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galia
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agnello
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Grutta
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Re
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cabibbo
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grassedonio
authors.forename: Bruno Giuseppe
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: Gianvincenzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sparacia
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lo Casto
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagalla
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midiri
mesh_terms: D001630:Bezoars / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006547:Hernia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D007443:Intussusception / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: CT; Colon; bowel obstruction; bowel pseudo-obstruction; small bowel