Normal aspect The small intestine appears as a mixture of soft tissue and gas opacities located in the mid ventral abdomen. Bowel loops may be seen end on and appear as circular or may be seen as linear tubules. Bowel loops are surrounded by abdominal fat, allowing the serosal surface to be seen. The wall can not be well appreciated on survey radiographs for the same reason as for the stomach. An upper GI series is indicated to evaluate the intestinal wall.
Intestinal rupture is a contraindication for using barium sulfate.
In case of suspicion of rupture, iodinated contrast media are indicated. When contrast medium is administered per os, the most common complication is aspiration of barium sulfate that can result in severe pneumonia. Barium sulfate is usually cleared by cough and the bronchial ciliary system. When contrast medium reaches the alveoli, it can remains there for months or years. High osmolar iodinated contrast media may produce osmotic diarrhea and are contra-indicated in dehydrated patient.