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Ultrasonographic evaluation of the intestine requires ventral abdominal hair clipping and fasting for 12 hours. Advantages of ultrasonography compared to the conventional radiography in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction include: the lack of ionizing radiation with the technique, no need for anaesthesia, reduction in the time required, observation of the intestinal motility, visualization of the intestinal wall layers and examination of adjacent structures such as lymph nodes, pancreas, liver and spleen that are not usually visible radiographically. Ultrasonography is considered a useful imaging modality for the investigation of the intestinal obstruction.
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However, in most of the cases the etiology of the obstruction is not evident on plain radiographs while in some cases the lack of normal peristalsis prevents contrast media from reaching the point of obstruction. The barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS) are successfully used to detect physical (complete and partial) and functional intestinal obstruction. A contrast study using barium sulfate suspension typically reveals bowel distension proximal to the obstruction. Plain abdominal radiographs may show excessive bowel distention with gas usually proximal to the obstruction and fluid filled intestinal loops. Intestinal obstruction suspected by clinical and laboratory findings can be confirmed by radiography. The obstruction can be anatomical or functional and the clinical signs vary with the site of the lesion, the degree of luminal obstruction, and the severity of the cardiovascular compromise. Intestinal obstruction (ileus) can occur in any part of the intestinal tract but most often develops in the small intestine as a result of its narrower lumen.