An abdominal CT scan performed on a patient with a small bowel obstruction may show the small bowel feces sign. It is believed to occur when there is blockage of the normal flow of small bowel contents.
Synonym: fecalization of the small bowel
The small bowel feces sign consists of amorphous mass of particulate matter mixed with gas bubbles. If the affected bowel segment is opened fecal-like material is present.
If the affected segment of small bowel shows moderate to marked dilatation, then most patients have a mechanical small bowel obstruction.
If the affected segment is not dilated or mildly dilated, then small bowel disorder without obstruction (infectious disease, metabolic disease, etc) is more likely.
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