XR - Small Bowel Obstruction

Small Bowel Series Protocol for SBO: 

• • • Adhesive small bowel obstruction diagnosed on CT.

    • NG tube decompression (usually for 6 hours after the CT)

    • Portable plain film

    • 100 mL undiluted Gastrografin via enteric tube (undiluted Omnipaque Ok to use)

    • Portable plain film immediately afterward

    • 4 hour portable plain film

    • 8 hour portable plain film

    • 24 hour portable plain film

Later films not needed if contrast already in the colon.

If you see the case in arrived status, there may be more films coming…

If contrast reaches the colon, it is a partial small bowel obstruction. If not, it is complete.

Please reach out to Dr. Friedman for any questions.