Ileus and Bowel Obstruction

Ileus and bowel obstruction exist along a spectrum of gut motility disorders and present with nausea, abdominal distention, and obstipation. Sometimes, they are difficult to distinguish radiographi-cally. However, the etiology and, therefore, treatment strategy for each are divergent. Ileus represents delayed motility and intestinal distention in the absence of mechanical obstruction, often occurring secondary to an underlying inflammatory process. Its resolution is dictated by the outcome of the inciting event. Bowel obstruction, caused by an intraluminal or extrinsic process that mechanically impedes intestinal transit, has a range of presentations from mild, self-limited abdominal discomfort to overt ischemia or perforation of the bowel.