A review of the radiological imaging modalities of non-traumatic small bowel obstruction

Abstract

Small bowel obstruction is a common clinical presentation that presents a diagnostic conundrum. Over the last 2 decades, there has been a paradigm shift in the radiological investigation of small bowel obstruction (SBO) and in the indication for and timing of surgical intervention. Cross-sectional imaging (predominantly computed tomography) has largely replaced the widespread use of radiographic small bowel follow-through studies as the imaging modality of choice for SBO. This article illustrates the current imaging modalities available for diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.