ABSTRACT
Intestinal obstruction is one of the leading causes of admission in general surgical emergency with variable outcomes. It is a mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines which prevents the normal movement of the products of digestion. Many previous studies have demonstrated computed tomography (CT) to be a valuable technique for imaging intestinal obstruction. Advantages of CT imaging are accurate demonstration of the site, level and cause of obstruction, presence or absence of adverse features such as ischemia, volvulus or closed loop obstruction. CT allows for smaller and site specific incisions with improved wound related outcomes. Methods: A prospective observational study on 50 patients admitted in General Surgery department of Rajindra hospital, Patiala with clinical features of intestinal obstruction to show the utility of CECT in diagnosing the presence, level, degree, and cause of intestinal obstruction, and the role of CT in detecting presence of complications. Results: The study demonstrated the sensitivity and sensitivity of CT scan in cases of intestinal obstruction as 92% and 100% respectively. The accuracy of CT scan in detecting the cause of intestinal obstruction was found to be 94% (with a significance level of P<0.001) with a positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 76.92%. Conclusion: CT scan is accurate at diagnosing the bowel obstruction with high sensitivity and high specificity; however it is not accurate in determining the cause of the obstruction. In clinical practice it is a useful tool to guide appropriately the line management whether conservative or surgical in such patients.