Abdominal plain film

Ileus vs. SBO

  • Difficult to tell on plain film, but
  • Dilated small bowel AND colon = ileus
  • Dilated small bowel with decompressed colon/no air = SBO
    • May see air fluid levels

Free air

  • Air under diaphragm; continuous diaphragm sign
  • Rigler's sign
author: admin | last edited: Feb. 21, 2018, 11:20 a.m. | pk: 101 | unpublished