Ultrasonographic differentiation of bezoar from feces in small bowel obstruction.
- Author:
Kyung Hoon LEE
1
;
Hyun Young HAN
;
Hee Jin KIM
;
Hee Kyung KIM
;
Moon Soo LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Ultrasonography; Bezoars; Intestinal obstruction; Intestine, small
- MeSH: Acoustics; Artifacts; Bezoars*; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Feces*; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction; Intestine, Small; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography
- From: Ultrasonography 2015;34(3):211-216
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate ultrasonographic accuracy in the differentiation of a bezoar from feces in a small bowel obstruction showing feces-like material just proximal to the transitional zone in abdominal computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This study included 14 patients who showed feces-like material just proximal to the transitional zone, among 302 patients diagnosed with small bowel obstruction on abdominal CT. The diagnostic signs of a bezoar on ultrasonography included an arc-like surfaced intraluminal mass, posterior acoustic shadow and twinkling artifacts. The diagnostic performance of ultrasonography in each patient was compared with a final diagnosis that was surgically or clinically made. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients, seven were ultrasonographically diagnosed as having a bezoar, and five of the seven were surgically diagnosed as having a phytobezoar. The remaining two of the seven showed complete symptomatic improvement before surgery. The other seven patients were ultrasonographically diagnosed as not having a bezoar. Among them, six patients were conservatively treated with symptomatic improvement, suggesting the absence of a bezoar. The remaining one patient was confirmed not to have a bezoar during adhesiolysis. In all patients, the ultrasonographic diagnosis agreed with the clinically confirmed diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography might be an accurate method for the differential diagnosis of feces-like material just proximal to the transitional zone in abdominal CT. It can help radiologists to quickly and easily diagnose a bezoar.
