Small-bowel obstruction is an old and common problem. Like most illnesses,
its diagnosis and treatment continue to evolve. The radiologic approach to
the investigation of small-bowel obstruction and the timing of surgical int
ervention have undergone considerable changes during the past decade. In th
is review, the authors analyze the recently described radiologic techniques
used in the examination of patients with suspected mechanical small-bowel
obstruction, revisit the controversy of the short versus long decompression
tube, and provide insights pn how to optimize the radiologic investigation
and nonsurgical management of small-bowel obstruction.