Target sign of intussusception versus whirlpool sign of midgut volvulus

We report the case of a 2-month-old boy who presented with emesis and was initially thought to have an intussusception based on ultrasound findings, but was later found to have malrotation with midgut volvulus. He was surgically detorsed before any bowel necrosis occurred, but later developed recurrent volvulus due to a surgical adhesion acting as an anchor point. The aim of this report is to highlight the imaging similarities and differences between intussusception and the more serious midgut volvulus in order to expedite proper care and preserve bowel. Malrotation with midgut volvulus is a pediatric surgical emergency involving twisting of a congenitally shortened mesentery around the superior mesenteric artery, leading to rapid vascular compromise and ischemic necrosis of small bowel. Prompt diagnosis is critical but difficult, as imaging findings in volvulus can appear similar to those in intussusception. Treatment with a Ladd procedure can safely and effectively reduce the volvulus and prevent recurrence.     

Adult intussusception: diagnosis and clinical relevance

Intussusception is relatively rare in the adult population and differs substantially from pediatric intussusception. Most adult intussusceptions identified at surgery are caused by a definable structural lesion, a substantial proportion of which are malignant, particularly in the colon. Small bowel intussusceptions, however, have a lower prevalence of malignancy. Diagnosis of adult intussusception can be made reliably with noninvasive imaging techniques. CT is now widely regarded as the modality of choice for diagnosing intussusception in adults, but ultrasound and MR imaging have also been used effectively. Determination of the presence of a malignant lead point remains problematic because an edematous or hemorrhagic intussuscipiens may mimic a mass on each modality. Markers for bowel viability have been described but are not precise. Treatment of the persistent symptomatic intussusception in which neoplasia is suspected is surgical, and preoperative reduction is contraindicated. Transient relatively asymptomatic enteric intussusceptions discovered by imaging may not require intervention.     

Usefulness of MR Imaging for Diseases of the Small Intestine: Comparison with CT

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of MR imaging for diseases of the small intestine, emphasizing a comparison with CT.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-four patients who underwent both CT and MR imaging using FLASH 2D and HASTE sequences were analyzed. All patients had various small bowel diseases with variable association of peritoneal lesions. We compared the detectabilities of CT and MR imaging using different MR pulse sequences. The capability for analyzing the characteristics of small intestinal disease was also compared.

Results

MR imaging was nearly equal to CT for detecting intraluminal or peritoneal masses, lesions in the bowel and mesentery, and small bowel obstruction, but was definitely inferior for detecting omental lesions. The most successful MR imaging sequence was HASTE for demonstrating bowel wall thickening, coronal FLASH 2D for mesenteric lesions, and axial FLASH 2D for omental lesions. MR imaging yielded greater information than CT in six of 12 inflammatory bowel diseases, while it was equal to CT in six of seven neoplasms and inferior in five of seven mesenteric ischemia. In determining the primary causes of 15 intestinal obstructions, MR imaging was correct in 11 (73%) and CT in nine (60%) patients.

Conclusion

MR imaging can serve as an alternative diagnostic tool for patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal neoplasm or obstruction.     

CT and MR imaging findings of bowel ischemia from various primary causes.

Ischemic bowel disease represents a broad spectrum of diseases with various clinical and radiologic manifestations, which range from localized transient ischemia to catastrophic necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract. The primary causes of insufficient blood flow to the intestine are diverse and include thromboembolism, nonocclusive causes, bowel obstruction, neoplasms, vasculitis, abdominal inflammatory conditions, trauma, chemotherapy, radiation, and corrosive injury. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can demonstrate the ischemic bowel segment and may be helpful in determining the primary cause. The CT and MR imaging findings include bowel wall thickening with or without the target sign, intramural pneumatosis, mesenteric or portal venous gas, and mesenteric arterial or venous thromboembolism. Other CT findings include engorgement of mesenteric veins and mesenteric edema, lack of bowel wall enhancement, increased enhancement of the thickened bowel wall, bowel obstruction, and infarction of other abdominal organs. However, regardless of the primary cause, the imaging findings of bowel ischemia are similar. Furthermore, the bowel changes simulate inflammatory or neoplastic conditions. Understanding the pathogenesis of various conditions leading to mesenteric ischemia helps the radiologist recognize ischemic bowel disease and avoid delayed diagnosis, unnecessary surgery, or less than optimal management.     

Unenhanced CT findings of vascular compromise in association with intussusceptions in adults

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate unenhanced CT findings for predicting the degree of vascular compromise in intussusception observed at surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The imaging studies, clinical records, and surgical and pathologic findings in 25 patients with intussusception were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated six CT findings based on the abnormalities of each component of intussusception. Presence or absence of these findings was compared with the degree of vascular compromise as observed on pathologic examination, such as edema, ischemia, or necrosis. RESULTS: The hypodense layer was observed in 16 of 18 intussusceptions with various degrees of vascular compromise. A fluid collection surrounded by the returning wall, which was revealed to correspond to trapped peritoneal fluid, was observed in eight of nine intussusceptions with ischemia or necrosis. A gas collection surrounded by the returning wall was observed in two of four intussusceptions with necrosis. Free peritoneal fluid coexisted with a fluid collection surrounded by the returning wall in all the intussusceptions except one. Bowel obstruction was observed in six of nine intussusceptions with ischemia or necrosis. The maximum wall thickness was not related to the degree of vascular compromise. CONCLUSION: The CT findings of a hypodense layer in the returning wall, fluid collection in the space surrounded by the returning wall, and gas collection in the space surrounded by the returning wall can be useful in predicting the degree of vascular compromise in intussusception.     

Adult intestinal intussusception: comparison between CT features and surgical findings]

PURPOSE: To report our experience in the use of CT in the evaluation of adult intestinal intussusception. A correlation between radiologic findings and surgery was attempted in order to verify our diagnostic hypothesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Intestinal intussusception was diagnosed by CT between September 1993 and December 2000 in 10 patients (6 men and 4 women, age range 18-82 years). For 9/10 patients the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery; in one patient the condition resolved spontaneously as confirmed by a follow-up CT performed 24 hours after the first. Six patients were studied by a third generation CT and four by a helical CT unit. Five patients were administered iodinated oral contrast medium and in seven i.v. iodinated contrast medium. Diagnosis was hypothesized at CT on the basis of the following aspects: target, sausage, and pseudokidney. RESULTS: Surgery confirmed the CT diagnosis of intussusception in 9/10 patients; in the patient with transient intussusception a spontaneous resolution was confirmed at follow up CT after 24 h. In the 10 patients studied the following CT aspects were observed in the bowel involved by intussusception: a target aspect in 4 patients; a sausage aspect in 4 patients; in one of them a peritoneal effusion was also present; a pseudokidney aspect was observed in 2 patients, with a long tract intussusception and peritoneal adipose tissue; in both a hyperdensity of the peritoneal adipose tissue and enlarged vessels, that were herniated within the lumen of the bowel, were recognized. At surgey the causes of intestinal intussusception were: malignant tumors of the colon (4 cases), hamartomatous polyps of the small bowel (2 cases), mixoid fibrolipoma of the colon (one case), leiomyoma of the distal ileum (one case). In one patient no cause could be identified at CT, but the condition was found to co-exist with acute appendicitis at surgery. CONCLUSIONS: CT is an accurate technique in the evaluation of intestinal intussusception in adults. It allows to identify the condition, its site, and sometimes the type of the lesion causing the intussusception, and any vascular alteration, thus playing an important role in establishing the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.     

Vascular contact with soft tissue: a sign of mesenteric masses at computed tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate prevalence of mesenteric vascular contact at routine computed tomography (CT) and evaluate its value for distinguishing missed mesenteric masses from adjacent bowel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 18 abdominopelvic CT scans of 9 patients in whom mesenteric masses were missed on the prospective CT reports. We recorded the long-axis diameter of the masses, time interval to eventual detection, and presence of vascular contact (fat plane obscuration) with a mesenteric vessel greater than 1 mm in diameter. We also retrospectively identified 129 consecutive abdominopelvic CT scans of nononcology patients and recorded all locations of vascular contact between a mesenteric vessel greater than 1 mm in diameter and adjacent bowel. RESULTS: In the 18 CT examinations where mesenteric masses were missed, the mean long-axis diameter was 2.9 cm, and time between the initial CT scan and first discovery was 12 months. Mesenteric vessels contacted the masses in 17 (94%) of 18 scans. In the 129 nononcology patients, vascular contact was rarely seen with bowel distal to the proximal jejunum (6 had vascular contact with distal jejunum, 5 with ileum, and 0 with colon). However, the third and fourth duodenal portions showed vascular contact with the superior mesenteric vessels in 36 (28%) and 12 patients (9.4%), respectively, and with the inferior mesenteric vessels in 58 patients (48%). CONCLUSIONS: At CT, mesenteric vessels greater than 1 mm in diameter rarely contact bowel other than the duodenum and proximal jejunum; however, they often contact mesenteric masses. At CT scan review, inspection of the mesenteric vessels may facilitate mesenteric mass identification.     

螺旋CT对成人小肠套叠的诊断及临床价值

目的：探讨螺旋CT对成人小肠套叠的诊断及临床价值。方法：回顾分析20例经手术及病理证实的小肠套叠的螺旋CT表现及病理改变。结果：20例小肠套叠中小肠-小肠套叠15例,小肠-结肠套叠5例。CT表现直接征象有：靶形征10例,彗星尾征或肾形征7例,漩涡征3例。间接征象有：肠壁增厚12例,肠腔扩张16例,肠梗阻16例,邻近肠系膜或筋膜浸润4例等。20例小肠套叠的病因分别为：原发癌8例,转移瘤4例,淋巴瘤3例,息肉2例,平滑肌瘤1例,美克尔憩室1例,阑尾炎1例。结论：螺旋CT对小肠套叠的诊断和治疗有重要的指导作用。     

克罗恩病合并肛瘘的MSCT表现

目的:探讨MSCT对克罗恩病(Crohn’s disease,CD)合并肛瘘以及CD活动期的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析22例CD合并肛瘘患者的临床及影像资料,患者均行全腹部MSCT,结合MSCT重建图像,分析病变肠壁的厚度、黏膜强化程度、肠系膜血管改变、肠系膜淋巴结、肠腔狭窄及肛瘘情况。结果:22例CD患者中15例经外科手术治疗肛瘘,其中复发7例,CT图像均表现为肠壁明显增厚、明显强化、肠系膜血管增多、肠系膜淋巴结增多、肠腔明显狭窄;未复发8例,CT表现为肠壁增厚8例、肠壁明显强化1例、肠系膜血管增多3例、肠系膜淋巴结增多3例、肠腔狭窄4例。22例CD患者,CT表现为肠壁增厚21例(95.5%),肠壁强化22例(100%),肠系膜血管增多17例(77.3%),肠系膜淋巴结增多17例(77.3%),肠腔狭窄16例(72.7%)。结论:肛瘘是否术后复发与肠道病变的MSCT表现有关。     

Mesenteric venous thrombosis: diagnosis and noninvasive imaging.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis is an uncommon but potentially lethal cause of bowel ischemia. Several imaging methods are available for diagnosis, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Doppler ultrasonography allows direct evaluation of the mesenteric and portal veins, provides semiquantitative flow information, and allows Doppler waveform analysis of the visceral vessels; however, it is operator dependent and is often limited by overlying bowel gas. Conventional contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) allows sensitive detection of venous thrombosis within the central large vessels of the portomesenteric circulation and any associated secondary findings; however, it is limited by respiratory misregistration, motion artifact, and substantially decreased longitudinal spatial resolution. Helical CT and CT angiography, especially when performed with multi-detector row scanners, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, particularly gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography, enable volumetric acquisitions in a single breath hold, eliminating motion artifact and suppressing respiratory misregistration. Helical CT angiography and three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography should be considered the primary diagnostic modalities for patients with a high clinical suspicion of mesenteric ischemia. Conventional angiography is reserved for equivocal cases at noninvasive imaging and is also used in conjunction with transcatheter therapeutic techniques in management of symptomatic portal and mesenteric venous thrombosis.     

粘连性腹内疝及其合并肠缺血坏死的MSCT诊断

目的 探讨粘连性腹内疝及合并绞窄性肠坏死的MSCT特征.方法 回顾性分析21例经手术证实的粘连性腹内疝的CT资料,CT原始数据经多平面重建(MPR)及CT血管造影(CTA),以显示疝环、疝入肠系膜、疝内肠管的特征.结果 19例粘连性腹内疝均显示疝环,小肠扩张积液、聚集并移位,其中17例显示疝环处肠管狭窄与扩张肠管移行;17例显示疝入肠系膜水肿、增厚,肠系膜血管纠集、充血,其中11例显示疝环处肠管及其系膜扭转;15例显示腹水.根据疝入肠管影像表现将粘连性腹内疝分型:Ⅰ型为肠管扩张伴肠壁增厚(7例);Ⅱ型为肠管扩张不伴肠壁增厚(9例);Ⅲ型为肠管不扩张但肠壁增厚(5例).3型腹内疝肠管壁平扫CT值、动脉及门脉期肠壁强化值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),Ⅰ和Ⅲ型小于Ⅱ型,Ⅰ、Ⅲ型之间的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).8例粘连性腹内疝合并绞窄性肠坏死(5例为Ⅰ型,3例为Ⅲ型),CT显示肠扭转伴疝入小肠壁显著水肿增厚,肠壁模糊呈持续性低强化,其中4例显示肠系膜上静脉血栓栓塞,3例显示肠系膜上动脉主干或分支闭塞,8例均显示大量腹水.结论 粘连带形成的疝环,狭窄与扩张肠管移行以及小肠扩张、聚集并移位提示粘连性腹内疝的存在;疝入肠系膜水肿,血管纠集,充血,肠系膜血管闭塞,肠管壁显著水肿增厚并持续低强化,则是绞窄性肠坏死的影像特征.     

CT在成人肠套叠诊断中的价值

目的探讨成人肠套叠的CT表现及其诊断价值。方法收集我院2005年1月至2008年6月经手术病理证实的8例成人肠套叠,并对其CT平扫与增强扫描之表现进行回顾性分析。结果 8例CT表现为肠腔内偏心性软组织肿块影,其中5例见＂靶征＂＂、肾形＂,1例见＂腊肠样影＂,2例见＂慧星尾征＂;增强扫描时可见肠壁的各种形态改变,诸如有无壁内肿瘤、有无缺血水肿、坏死,并判定血管并发症的严重程度等征象。结论 CT平扫及增强扫描对成人肠套叠有重要的诊断价值。     

Imaging bowel obstruction: a comparison between fast magnetic resonance imaging and helical computed tomography

AIM: To compare the accuracy of fast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using the half-Fourier single shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequence with helical computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 44 patients with clinical evidence of bowel obstruction was conducted using various investigations including HASTE MR and helical CT. MR was performed with a Siemens 1.5 Tesla MR Imaging System and CT was performed with one of two Siemens ARHP CT systems using helical technique. MR acquisition allowed data to be gathered in 6-10 minutes and no contrast media were administered. CT imaging consisted of consecutive helical CT through the abdomen and pelvis with oral and intravenous contrast medium used when indicated. Bowel dilation along with the presence and level of obstruction were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients had bowel obstruction confirmed at laparotomy or by radiographic assessment. Of these, 25 had small bowel obstruction and three had colonic obstructions. The obstruction was due to fibrous adhesions in nine patients, metastases or primary carcinoma in seven, Crohn's disease in four, hernias in two, and inflammation or abscess in two. Other causes of obstruction included lymphoma, intussusception and anastomotic stricture. The cause of obstruction was correctly diagnosed by CT in 71%, and by MR in 95% of cases. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for HASTE MR imaging was 95%, 100% and 96% respectively as compared to 71%, 71% and 71% for helical CT. CONCLUSION: Fast MR imaging using the HASTE sequence is more accurate than helical CT in diagnosing bowel obstruction.     

Malignant stromal tumors of the small intestine: report of 9 cases

PURPOSE: Analysis of imaging features of malignant stromal tumors of the small bowel and review of literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 9 cases of malignant stromal tumor of the small bowel with histological proof were imaged at US (8 cases), small bowel series (9 cases) and CT scan (3 cases). RESULTS: There were 6 cases of leiomyosarcoma and 3 cases of malignant schwannoma. Tumors involved the jejunum in 3 patients, the ileum in 4 patients, and the duodenum in 2 patients. The main clinical presentation was an abdominal mass (8 cases), which appeared heterogeneous and hypoechoic with eccentric lumen at US confirming its GI origin (7 cases). Small bowel series showed a bulky cavitary mass opacified via a thin fistula (7 cases), an ileo-ileal intussusception (1 case) and enlarged duodenal lumen (1 case). CT performed in 3 cases showed an intraperitoneal mass with soft-tissue density. A communication with the GI tract was noted in 1 case, and in another case, it showed an intestinal intussusception. US guided biopsy performed in 3 cases provided diagnosis in 2 cases (malignant schwannoma, leiomyosarcoma). Tumor growth was exophytic in 8 cases and dumbbell-shaped in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The imaging features of malignant stromal tumors of the small bowel are similar. It varies with the type of tumor growth and its size. The diagnosis may be suggested based on imaging features.     

小肠坏死的CT特点

目的 探讨小肠坏死的CT表现特点.方法 对16例小肠坏死的平扫CT图像和临床资料进行回顾性分析,评价小肠坏死的CT特征.结果 16例小肠坏死CT平扫表现为肠腔不同程度扩张、积气及肠间、肠壁积气,同时伴肝内胆管和血管积气9例;小肠肠腔扩张、积液7例,其中1例伴有漩涡征,2例扩张肠腔内伴有气-液平;16例患者均有不同程度的腹腔或肠间隙积液及肠系膜脂肪密度增高.结论 小肠坏死CT表现具有特征性.     

Closed loop intestinal obstruction: role of computerized tomography]

PURPOSE: The obstruction of a bowel segment at both ends results in a closed loop obstruction. Progression to strangulation frequently occurs if surgical intervention is delayed. The role of plain radiography in the diagnosis of closed loop obstruction and strangulation has been shown to be limited, while the recent literature has demonstrated the growing role of computed tomography (CT). This paper reports our experience in the study of closed loop obstruction by CT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The CT studies of 12 patients with surgically confirmed closed loop obstruction were retrospectively reviewed. The following CT signs were used for the diagnosis: a) fluid-filled distended loops, b) C-shaped incarcerated loop, c) radial distribution of several dilated bowel loops and mesenteric vessels converging toward the point of obstruction, d) triangular or fusiform tapering of the closed loop and/or whirl sign in the site of obstruction. RESULTS: On the basis of these signs, the diagnosis was made in 11 of 12 patients. Only 1 patient, who had a negative CT study, was positive at a subsequent enteroclysis. CT findings of strangulation were associated in 3 cases: slight wall thickening with vascular congestion and mesenteric ascites, confirmed at surgery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Small bowel obstruction can be distinguished into simple and closed loop obstructions. The latter is a more severe condition which is often complicated by strangulation with vascular impairment, edema and intramural and mesenteric hemorrhage. Consequent arterial insufficiency rapidly leads to ischemia, infarction and necrosis. The radiologist plays a role in the early recognition of the closed loop obstruction and of any sign of strangulation. The role of CT in the diagnosis and workup of patients with suspected intestinal occlusion has been analyzed in the literature with reported 63% sensitivity, 78% specificity and 66% accuracy. CT is also capable of revealing the causes of occlusion in 73-95% of cases. The above CT signs, as confirmed in our experience, allow to identify closed loop obstruction and also small bowel strangulation, thus supplying a valuable contribution to diagnosis and accurate preoperative evaluation. We conclude that CT can accurately demonstrate the presence of closed loop obstruction and can be the technique of choice in patients in whom obstruction is associated with clinical signs suggestive of strangulation.     

64排螺旋CT在成人肠套叠诊断中的应用价值

目的：探讨64排螺旋CT对成人肠套叠的诊断价值。方法收集我院2012年1月至2013年12月经手术病理证实的13例成人肠套叠,并对其CT平扫及7例增强表现进行回顾性分析。结果13例中均可见套叠头体部呈现分层鞘状软组织影,其中8例见“靶征”,2例见“腊肠征”,2例见“肾形”,1例见不规则肿块改变;7例增强扫描时可见肠壁的各种形态改变,诸如有无缺血水肿、坏死,并判定血管并发症的严重程度等征象。结论 CT平扫及增强扫描对成人肠套叠的定性及定位诊断有重要的价值。     

Adult intussusception detected at CT or MR imaging: clinical-imaging correlation.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical presentation in cases of adult intussusception demonstrated at computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to correlate the imaging appearance with clinical diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of CT and MR images and clinical records of all patients with an intussusception demonstrated on CT or MR images from January 1, 1991, through April 30, 1998. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients had one or more intussusceptions demonstrated on CT (n = 30) or MR (n = 3) images. Twenty-nine patients had enteroenteric intussusceptions, and four had intussusceptions involving the colon. Ten patients (30%) had a neoplastic lead point, including all four of the intussusceptions involving the colon (benign mass, n = 3; malignant mass, n = 7). In 23 cases (70%), no neoplastic lead point was identified. A variety of causes were implicated in these cases, with 16 cases (48%) classified as idiopathic. Enteric intussusceptions in the nonneoplastic group were shorter in length (median, 4 vs 10.8 cm; P = .002), smaller in diameter (median, 3 vs 4 cm; P = .002), and less likely to be associated with obstruction (4.3% vs 50%; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Less than one-third of adult intussusceptions demonstrated at CT or MR imaging were caused by a neoplastic lead point. Almost half of adult cases in this series were idiopathic.     

Volume-rendered 3D CT of the mesenteric vasculature: normal anatomy, anatomic variants, and pathologic conditions.

Multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) offers important advantages over more conventional imaging methods in the evaluation of the mesenteric vasculature. It allows faster scanning, which practically eliminates motion and breathing artifacts, as well as thinner collimation. These advances, coupled with rapid intravenous administration of contrast material, allow excellent opacification of the mesenteric arteries and veins. This improves the quality of the three-dimensional (3D) data sets, which in turn leads to improved 3D vascular maps and more accurate assessment of various conditions such as arterial or venous encasement in patients with pancreatic cancer, mesenteric ischemia, or inflammatory bowel disease. Three-dimensional multi-detector row CT also allows better visualization of arterial and venous branching, thereby improving detection of more distal vascular involvement. In addition, 3D multi-detector row CT may help detect hemodynamic changes in patients with active inflammation and hyperemia of a bowel segment because it can be used to measure bowel wall enhancement over time. Carcinoid tumors that have infiltrated the mesentery have a characteristic CT appearance, and other conditions such as lymphoma or sclerosing mesenteritis can also manifest as an infiltrating mass that envelops mesenteric vessels. Three-dimensional multi-detector row CT represents a significant advance in CT technology and can help ensure prompt, accurate evaluation of the mesenteric vasculature.     

Helical CT in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.

With recent technologic developments, the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of bowel obstruction has expanded. CT is recommended when clinical and initial radiographic findings remain indeterminate or strangulation is suspected. This modality clearly demonstrates pathologic processes involving the bowel wall as well as the mesentery, mesenteric vessels, and peritoneal cavity. CT should be performed with intravenous injection of contrast material, and use of thin sections is recommended to evaluate a particular region of interest. CT is reported to have a sensitivity of 78%-100% for the detection of complete or high-grade small bowel obstruction but may not allow accurate diagnosis in cases involving incomplete obstruction. In such cases, the use of adjunct enteroclysis is indicated. Furthermore, multiplanar reformatted imaging may help identify the site, level, and cause of obstruction when axial CT findings are indeterminate. CT can also demonstrate findings that indicate the presence of closed-loop obstruction or strangulation, both of which necessitate emergency exploratory laparotomy. Unfortunately, these pathologic conditions may be missed, and patients with suspected severe obstruction or bowel ischemia in whom CT and clinical findings are widely disparate must also undergo laparotomy. In general, however, CT allows appropriate and timely management of these emergency cases.