Editors comment

Excerpt

The authors of the study “Identification of Adhesions on CT in Small Bowel Obstruction” should be congratulated for presenting a well thought-out study to further radiographic knowledge with respect to intestinal obstruction. One of the challenges of the diagnosis of this condition brought to the fore by the advent of computed tomography (CT) has been the demonstration of specific causes of bowel occlusion. It is undeniable that if a method were found to distinguish between adhesive obstruction and other causes of intestinal blockage, information might be helpful in plotting immediate treatment and in advising patients about prognosis. Of course, such investigations have been limited by the fact that on CT, the actual adhesion can rarely be noted and, therefore, ancillary signs such as kinking of the bowel, as pointed out in this investigation, may prove helpful. However, the subject of intestinal obstruction is multifaceted, involving many other issues besides its pictorial representation. Hence, an advance in radiographic observation does not necessarily mandate an obligatory change in workup. …