Intestinal Obstruction
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| Multiple Air Fluid Levels |
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| Intestinal Adhesion |
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| Intestinal Adhesion |
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| Intestinal Adhesion
The most Common Extra Mural Cause of Intestinal Obstruction is Intestinal Bands or Adhesions.
The Intestinal Bands or Adhesions can be Congenital or Acquired.
Previous surgery in the abdomen can later result in adhesions between the loops of the intestine.
Clinical Features of Intestinal Obstruction
In the plain radiograph the dilated bowel loops becomes visible.
Multiple Air Fluid Levels are seen.
Basis of Visible Intestinal Loops in a Plain Radiograph in Intestinal Obstruction
Normally Intestinal loops are not visible in a plain radiograph. This is because the intestine are in a state of constant peristaltic movement and there is no tissue oedema. When there is obstruction the peristalsis is abolished and the mucosa of the intestine becomes oedematous. Due to these two reasons the intestinal loops becomes visible in a plain radiograph.
The basis of Air fluid levels in Intestinal Occlusion
Normally Air and Food inside the intestine are in a mixed form. But when the obstruction occurs due to stagnation of the content separation of the Air and Fluid occurs.
How many Air Fluid levels are clinically significant?
Normally Air Fluid Levels are seen at sites inside the Abdomen. One in the Fundus of the stomach, another in the First part of Duodenum and the third in the Ileo Caecal Region. Hence more than three Air Fluid Levels are considered as abnormal.
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