Differential Diagnosis for Fluid and Air in Small Bowel
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO): This is the most common cause of fluid and air in the small bowel, as it leads to a buildup of intestinal contents and gas proximal to the obstruction site.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Ileus: A condition where there is a temporary halt of the normal contractions of the bowel muscles, leading to a buildup of fluid and gas.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation and narrowing of the bowel lumen, leading to fluid and air accumulation.
- Gastroenteritis: Infections of the bowel can cause inflammation, leading to fluid and gas buildup.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Bowel Ischemia: A condition where the blood supply to the bowel is compromised, leading to tissue death. This is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Bowel Perforation: A hole in the wall of the bowel, which can lead to peritonitis and sepsis if not promptly treated.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the bowel telescopes into another part, leading to obstruction and potentially ischemia.
- Rare diagnoses
- Small Bowel Diverticulitis: Inflammation of a diverticulum (a pouch) in the small bowel wall, which can cause fluid and air accumulation.
- Small Bowel Tumors: Neoplasms in the small bowel can cause obstruction or narrowing, leading to fluid and air buildup.
- Foreign Body Obstruction: Obstruction of the small bowel by a foreign object, such as a swallowed item.