Correlation of Clinical Findings with Radiological and Intraoperative Findings in Cases of Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

BACKGROUND Intestinal obstruction accounts for 15% of all patients presenting to emergency department with complaints of acute abdominal pain. Recognising obstruction early, aggressive preoperative treatment, skilled surgical techniques and intensive postoperative management improves outcome. We wanted to correlate the clinical findings with radiological and intra-operative findings in cases of intestinal obstruction. METHODS 50 cases of intestinal obstruction chosen by simple random technique, were studied in the department of general surgery at MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala. Intraoperative findings were compared with x-ray, USG abdomen and CT abdomen findings. RESULTS Adhesions and bands (26%) were found to be the most common cause of intestinal obstruction. Most common finding on plain x-ray abdomen was the presence of dilated gut loops (82%). USG abdomen has limited diagnostic value in cases of intestinal obstruction with most common finding reported in USG abdomen being that of small bowel obstruction (62%). Out of 49 patients who underwent CT scan abdomen and surgery, CT findings matched with intraoperative in 45 patients (91.84%) and the most common finding was adhesions and bands (22.4%). CONCLUSIONS X-ray abdomen and USG abdomen have limitations and are diagnostic only in a handful of cases. CT abdomen provides much more elaborate information and helps the surgeon to understand the pathology. Preoperative CT also helps prevent laparotomies in scenarios where surgeon with preoperative knowledge can opt for laparoscopic approach, thereby reducing postoperative stay in the hospital and complication. So, understanding of the imaging modalities and knowing when to use them and what to look for can save precious time of the patient and also that of the surgeon allowing for early diagnosis and better plan of treatment.