Linear foreign bodies may show a specific pattern characterized be plication of bowel loops. Small triangular shape gas bubbles may also be seen in some loops. Ileus may be paralytic and be secondary to abdominal surgery, pain, peritonitis, drug administration, autonomous nervous system disorder, mesenteric torsion, ischemia or vascular avulsion. Ileus may be mechanical and be secondary to foreign body, intussusception, volvulus, intestinal tumor, or encircling fibrous adhesions. Obstruction may be complete or incomplete.
Intestinal distension is appreciated by the size of the small intestinal loops.
Small intestinal loops are usually filled with gas and easily identified. Gas in the GI tract in patient with obstruction comes mainly from aerophagia. The diagnosis of intestinal obstruction may be very challenging on survey radiographs. Care should be taken to obtain a complete abdominal study of good technical quality. This segment is sometimes called a sentinel loop.