FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION OF SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION BY SUCCESSIVE ABDOMINAL ROENTGENOGRAMS

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Abstract
One hundred cases of small bowel obstruction were studied using the technique of 2 successive supine abdominal roentgenograms exposed at an interval of 5 minutes. The following significant results were noted: (1) the presence of activity in the dilated small bowel loops, as indicated by changes in their appearance in successive roentgenograms, was a more reliable indicator of a dynamic obstruction than the length of the fluid levels and the configuration of the loops in the erect position; and (2) reduced activity in the dilated loops was indicative of a poor prognosis for nonsurgical therapy and was frequently associated with complications such as strangulation, volvulus, hemorrhagic congestion, perforation or peritoneal inflammation. This technique is a simple and useful addition to the routine single recumbent and erect abdominal roentgenograms obtained in patients with obstructive symptoms.

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