Is Ultrasound Study Unnecessary for the Diagnosis of Strangulated Ileus?

-Introduction of a Contrast-enhanced Study to Improve the Reliability

Abstract

We evaluated the usefulness of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) for the diagnosis of strangulated ileus. The data of 21 patients (adhesive ileus: 8/22; femoral hernia, 4/22; inguinal hernia, 3/22; ventral hernia, 3/22；obturator hernia, 2/22: mechanical ileus without ischemia, 2/22) were reviewed. CEUS was performed with perfluoro-butane gas. We undertook laparotomy and enterectomy for 11 cases in which bowel wall enhancement was absent, and all of the 11 patients showed bowel necrosis at laparotomy. US plus contrast study with perfluoro-butane gas might be potentially useful to elucidate the hemodynamics of a strangulated ileus.