Which finding would you expect on radiographs if a patient has ileus?

Which finding would you expect on radiographs if a patient has ileus?

• A. Distended abdomen with gas in the colon
• B. Air-filled stomach and vomiting
• C. Normal gas pattern
• D. Distended abdomen with air-filled small intestine and vomiting

Answer: (D)

Ileus is a slowdown of intestinal movement that causes gas and fluid to accumulate and distend bowel loops throughout the abdomen rather than piling up at a single obstruction. On radiographs you often see dilated loops of small bowel with gas, and gas may also be present in the colon—producing a generalized, diffuse pattern. Vomiting is common because of the accumulated contents and distension from the motility loss. The finding described—distended abdomen with air-filled small intestine and vomiting—best fits this scenario, reflecting dilated small-bowel loops due to reduced motility and the associated vomiting. Gas confined only to the colon or only to the stomach, or a normal gas pattern, would not match the typical diffuse ileus appearance.

Ileus is a slowdown of intestinal movement that causes gas and fluid to accumulate and distend bowel loops throughout the abdomen rather than piling up at a single obstruction. On radiographs you often see dilated loops of small bowel with gas, and gas may also be present in the colon—producing a generalized, diffuse pattern. Vomiting is common because of the accumulated contents and distension from the motility loss. The finding described—distended abdomen with air-filled small intestine and vomiting—best fits this scenario, reflecting dilated small-bowel loops due to reduced motility and the associated vomiting. Gas confined only to the colon or only to the stomach, or a normal gas pattern, would not match the typical diffuse ileus appearance.