Small-Bowel Obstruction Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Brian A Nobie, MD, FACEP; Chief Editor: Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM   more...
 
Updated: Oct 5, 2011
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

The following conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small-bowel obstruction (SBO):

  • Esophageal rupture or tear
  • GI foreign body
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Mesenteric ischemia
  • Large-bowel obstruction
  • Ovarian torsion
  • Pancreatitis
  • Acute appendicitis
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Intussusception
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Urinary Tract Infection

Differential Diagnoses

Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Brian A Nobie, MD, FACEP  Director of Recruitment, Consulting Staff, Florida Emergency Physicians, Florida Hospital, Celebration Health

Brian A Nobie, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Joseph J Sachter, MD, FACEP  Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center

Joseph J Sachter, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Chief Editor

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM  Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, LeConte Medical Center

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Thompson WM, Kilani RK, Smith BB, Thomas J, Jaffe TA, Delong DM, et al. Accuracy of abdominal radiography in acute small-bowel obstruction: does reviewer experience matter?. AJR Am J Roentgenol. Mar 2007;188(3):W233-8. [Medline].

  3. Lappas JC, Reyes BL, Maglinte DD. Abdominal radiography findings in small-bowel obstruction: relevance to triage for additional diagnostic imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol. Jan 2001;176(1):167-74. [Medline].

  4. Sheedy SP, Earnest F 4th, Fletcher JG, Fidler JL, Hoskin TL. CT of small-bowel ischemia associated with obstruction in emergency department patients: diagnostic performance evaluation. Radiology. Dec 2006;241(3):729-36. [Medline].

  5. Diaz JJ Jr, Bokhari F, Mowery NT, Acosta JA, Block EF, Bromberg WJ, et al. Guidelines for management of small bowel obstruction. J Trauma. Jun 2008;64(6):1651-64. [Medline].

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  18. Khaikin M, Schneidereit N, Cera S, Sands D, Efron J, Weiss EG, et al. Laparoscopic vs. open surgery for acute adhesive small-bowel obstruction: patients' outcome and cost-effectiveness. Surg Endosc. May 2007;21(5):742-6. [Medline].

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Small bowel obstruction. Image courtesy of Ademola Adewale, MD.
Small bowel obstruction. Image courtesy of Ademola Adewale, MD.
Small bowel obstruction. Image courtesy of Ademola Adewale, MD.
 
 
 
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