The string may or may not be visible. Diffuse mural lesions may be associated with inflammatory or neoplastic infiltration and are characterized by diffuse mucosal irregularity. In cases of intestinal lymphoma, the intestinal mucosa may have a thumb print appearance. Persistent narrowing of the intestinal lumen associated with rigidity but without mucosal abnormality may be seen. Small intestinal loops may be identified when they are empty or fluid filled.
Intestinal loops appear as coffee bean when they are empty.
The intestinal wall thickness is approximately 3 mm and is composed of 5 layers of alternating echogenicity. Abnormal findings Ultrasonography may be useful to demonstrate mural and intraluminal lesions when intestinal loops are filled with fluid. However, gas in the GI tract, present in most cases of intestinal obstruction, compromises the study. Ultrasonography may be useful to demonstrate intestinal foreign bodies. However, radiology must be the preferred modality for the evaluation of patient with suspected mechanical intestinal obstruction.