Paediatric Imaging

Ileus

a term used to describe paralysis of intestinal peristalsis. Symptoms are similar to mechanical obstruction, abdominal distension, vomiting or copious nasogastric aspiration, but the abdomen is soft and bowel sounds are absent. Ileus occurs after abdominal surgery, in septicaemia, and may be drug induced. At sonography there are dilated loops of small bowel with sluggish or absent peristalsis. On X-ray there is bowel distension and on erect or decubitus films long fluid levels and no "ladder pattern" as seen in mechanical obstruction. See bowel obstruction and abdomen acute

HC