Bowel Obstruction
Bowel obstruction means food, fluid, and gas cannot move normally through part of the intestines.
When to get help quickly: Bowel obstruction can be urgent, especially when pain is severe, vomiting continues, the abdomen is distended, or wind and stool are no longer passing.
Common symptoms
Symptoms often include cramping abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, constipation, not passing wind, and a feeling that the abdomen is becoming full or tight.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show whether the bowel is blocked, where the blockage is, how severe it is, and whether there are dangerous complications such as ischemia or perforation.
What radiology does
X-rays and CT can help show where the bowel is blocked, how severe the blockage is, and whether there are signs of ischemia or perforation.
What usually happens next
Management may include observation, decompression, fluids, and in some cases urgent surgery depending on the cause and severity.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
Related articles
Related scan guides
- Abdomen X-rayAn abdomen X-ray is a quick imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to take pictures of the belly area. It is used to look for bowel blockage, abnormal gas, swallowed objects, and some causes of sudden abdominal pain.
- CT EnterographyCT enterography uses oral contrast to distend the small intestine and CT imaging to assess its wall and surrounding tissues. It can help doctors look at an area of the digestive tract that is otherwise very hard to see.
- KUB X-ray (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder)A KUB X-ray is a plain abdominal X-ray that includes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. It is the quick first-line test for suspected kidney stones, abdominal pain, and constipation — and often the gateway to more detailed imaging.