[Value of the small bowel feces sign at CT in adhesive small bowel obstruction].

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to describe the CT features of the small bowel feces sign and to determine its value as a positive criteria of non-severity in adhesive small bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study of adhesive small bowel obstructions diagnosed by CT from January 2001 to December 2002. All CT examinations featuring a small bowel feces sign were included. Clinical follow-up was available for all included patients. RESULTS Twenty patients were included in this study. Twelve patients underwent successful conservative treatment with nasogastric aspiration. Urgent laparotomy performed in 6 cases and delayed surgical intervention performed in 3 did not show ischemic complication. Surgical management always consisted in lysis of adhesions without intestinal resection. CONCLUSION Recently described in the radiological literature, the small bowel feces sign appears to be the first criteria of non-severity in adhesive small bowel obstruction.