Imaging Evaluation of Bowel Obstruction in Children: Updates in Imaging Techniques and Review of Imaging Findings

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Conventional Radiographs

If obtained indiscriminately, abdominal radiographs are low-yield diagnostic examinations, with only 2%-20% of studies demonstrating a definite abnormality.2, 3, 4 However, in cases where there are specific clinical indicators suggesting bowel obstruction, foreign body ingestion, or active peritonitis, abdominal radiograph remains a useful initial imaging study with a much higher diagnostic yield.4, 5 Because of the wide availability of conventional radiography, abdominal radiograph often

Spectrum of Imaging Findings

Although adhesions, incarcerated hernias, and neoplasm represent the main causes of intestinal obstruction among adult patients, pediatric patients with bowel obstruction are often suspected to have other etiologies underlying their acute process. Table 1 summarizes some of the most common causes of bowel obstruction in the pediatric population.

Conclusions

Bowel obstruction in children is associated with a wide variety of inciting etiologies. Although all children with bowel obstruction may present with similar acute clinical findings, such as vomiting and abdominal distension, further imaging evaluation is essential to diagnose the underlying cause of obstruction and direct patients to appropriate treatment. By becoming familiarized with characteristic imaging findings of a bowel obstruction, radiologists can play an important role in ensuring

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