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Digestive system
Digestive system
Ileus - X-ray of distended bowel and stomach
Ileus - X-ray of distended bowel and stomach
Ileus - X-ray of bowel distension
Ileus - X-ray of bowel distension
Intussusception - X-ray
Intussusception - X-ray
Volvulus - X-ray
Volvulus - X-ray
Small bowel obstruction - X-ray
Small bowel obstruction - X-ray
Small bowel resection  - series
Small bowel resection - series


Intestinal obstruction

Alternative Names:
Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal

Symptoms:


Signs and tests:

While listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope your health care provider may hear high-pitched bowel sounds at the onset of mechanical obstruction. If the obstruction has persisted for too long or the bowel has been significantly damaged, bowel sounds decrease, eventually becoming silent.

Early paralytic ileus is marked by decreased or absent bowel sound.

Tests that show obstruction include:




Review Date: 7/16/2004
Reviewed By: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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