Small Bowel Obstruction: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: None written.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Small Bowel Obstruction are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Blood Test

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Elevated D-dimer	60%	68%	for strangulated SBO Study: Medicina (Kaunas). 2007;43(11):850-4. PMID: 18084141
Elevated Serum Amylase	No accuracy specified.		Study: no study specified.
Elevated Serum Lactate	90%	87%	for ischemia Study: Am J Surg 1994 Jun;167(6):575-8. PMID 8209931
Leukocytosis	No accuracy specified.		Study: no study specified.

Combination of Tests

75%

99%

Study: Scand J Gastroenterol. 1994 Aug;29(8):715-21 PMID: 7973431

Electronic Monitor

No accuracy specified.

Study: no study specified.

History

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Age	60.4%	73.1%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Emesis	75%	65.3%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Emesis is more common in proximal small bowel obstruction than in distal small bowel obstruction Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
History of Abdominal Surgery	68.8%	74%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308

Imaging

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Abdominal CT Duplicate	50%	94%	Study: Radiology. 2007 Dec;245(3):661-71. PMID: 18024448
Abdominal CT Duplicate	88.1%	77%	non-enhanced Study: Eur J Radiol. 2009 Jul;71(1):135-40. PMID 18534800
Abdominal CT Duplicate	87.6%	75%	with IV contrast Study: Eur J Radiol. 2009 Jul;71(1):135-40. PMID 18534800
Abdominal US	83%	100%	Study: Acta Radiol 1999 Jul;40(4):422-8. PMID 10394872
Abdominal X-Ray	75%	53%	many sources list sensitivity closer to 50% Study: Am Surg. 1999 Oct;65(10):922-6. PMID: 10515535
CT Enteroclysis	89%	100%	Study: Radiology. 2007 Dec;245(3):661-71. PMID: 18024448
Enteroclysis	100%	88%	plain film enteroclysis Study: Radiol Clin North Am. 2003 Mar;41(2):263-83, vi. PMID: 12659338
UGI/SBFT	No accuracy specified.		An upper GI and small bowel follow-through can differentiate between mechanical obstruction and an ileus Study: no study specified.

Physical Exam

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Abdominal Rigidity	14.6%	94.6%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
hearing loss	No accuracy specified.		Study: no study specified.
Tachycardia	No accuracy specified.		Study: no study specified.

Renal

No accuracy specified.

Study: no study specified.

Vital Signs

No accuracy specified.

Study: no study specified.

No accuracy specified.

Study: no study specified.

Untagged

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Abdominal Distension	62.5%	89.2%	for SBO as final diagnosis of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Abdominal Mass	18.8%	91.4%	for SBO as final diagnosis of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Abdominal Tenderness	35.4%	93.1%	for SBO as final diagnosis of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Colicky Pain	31.2%	89.4%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Decreased Bowel Sounds	22.9%	92.8%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
History of Constipation	43.8%	95%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Increased Bowel Sounds	39.6%	88.6%	Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308
Relief of Pain by Vomiting	27.1%	93.7%	for SBO as final dx of abdominal pain Study: Eur J Surg. 1998 Oct;164(10):777-84. PMID: 9840308