Snapshot A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency room for abdominal pain, nausea, and nonbloody vomiting for the past day. She has not had any flatus during this time. She also endorses decreased appetite. She has a past surgical history of cesarean section. On physical exam, there is diffuse tenderness to palpation of her abdomen but no rebound tenderness or guarding. An abdominal radiograph shows dilated loops of small bowel, which is confirmed with a CT abdomen and pelvis. There are no masses identified. She is admitted to the inpatient floor and a nasogastric tube is placed. Introduction Overview login to view 1 more bullet Epidemiology Incidence login to view 1 more bullet Risk factors login to view 6 more bullets Presentation History login to view 3 more bullets Symptoms login to view 3 more bullets Physical exam login to view 4 more bullets Imaging Abdominal radiographs login to view 5 more bullets Computed tomography (CT) of abdomen and pelvis login to view 6 more bullets Studies Serum labs login to view 1 more bullet Invasive studies login to view 4 more bullets Differential Appendicitis login to view 2 more bullets Treatment Conservative and lifestyle login to view 3 more bullets Medical and pharmacologic login to view 5 more bullets Surgical and interventional login to view 7 more bullets Complications Bowel necrosis Peritonitis Bowel perforation Prognosis Partial SBOs often self-resolve Complete SBOs may also self-resolve but often require surgical intervention