PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the CT features of the small bowel feces sign and to determine its value as a positive criteria of non-severity in adhesive small bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of adhesive small bowel obstructions diagnosed by CT from January 2001 to December 2002. All CT examinations featuring a small bowel feces sign were included. Clinical follow-up was available for all included patients. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included in this study. Twelve patients underwent successful conservative treatment with nasogastric aspiration. Urgent laparotomy performed in 6 cases and delayed surgical intervention performed in 3 did not show ischemic complication. Surgical management always consisted in lysis of adhesions without intestinal resection. CONCLUSION: Recently described in the radiological literature, the small bowel feces sign appears to be the first criteria of non-severity in adhesive small bowel obstruction.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the CT features of the small bowel feces sign and to determine its value as a positive criteria of non-severity in adhesive small bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of adhesive small bowel obstructions diagnosed by CT from January 2001 to December 2002. All CT examinations featuring a small bowel feces sign were included. Clinical follow-up was available for all included patients. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included in this study. Twelve patients underwent successful conservative treatment with nasogastric aspiration. Urgent laparotomy performed in 6 cases and delayed surgical intervention performed in 3 did not show ischemic complication. Surgical management always consisted in lysis of adhesions without intestinal resection. CONCLUSION: Recently described in the radiological literature, the small bowel feces sign appears to be the first criteria of non-severity in adhesive small bowel obstruction.