Small bowel obstruction is usually and most easily diagnosed with a series of
x-rays called a small bowel follow through. This is noninvasive and requires
the patient to have a few preliminary abdominal x-rays, then drink a barium
mixture. Then the patient must have more x-rays taken in various positions
to see how the barium progresses in the digestive tract and system. The
patient is then re-xrayed every 20 minutes or so, depending on their
individual situation. It usually takes roughly one hour, or up to three to
have the barium run its course through the small bowel. At this time the
radiologist reads the films and determines if there is a partial blockage of
the bowel. Of course if the barium stops flowing completely at one part of
the bowel and fails to progress from that point in a matter of time
determined by the technician, an obstruction is usually the culprit.
A bowel perforation is sometimes found this way too. Contents of the small
bowel will leak through the opening or perforation into the abdominal cavity
or wherever the break may be. One patient I roomed with once had a
perforation and got very ill and painfully distended, and she just had a
small leak she said. You definitely don't want intestinal contents leaving
the intestines, she had one heck of an infection too. Ended up with a bag
after all of that, but she was okay the last time I spoke to her.
All in all the x-rays are not much more exciting than that--just time
consuming boy does the barium mess up your"system". It hardens like concrete
in some people and runs through like liquid plumber in others. Good Luck