POCUS Cases 5 – Small Bowel Obstruction POCUS

Learning Objectives

  1. To recognize the limitations of x-rays in the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction
  2. To determine three features of small bowel obstruction on POCUS including the “keyboard sign”
  3. To understand the limitations of using POCUS for small bowel obstruction

Key Reference

Gottlieb M, Peksa GD, Pandurangadu AV, Nakitende D, Takhar S, Seethala RR. Utilization of ultrasound for the evaluation of small bowel obstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Emerg Med. 2018;36(2):234-242.