Comparison of ileus and small bowel obstruction

Sign or symptom	Ileus	SBO
Abdominal distention	May be present	May be present
Bowel sounds	Usually quiet or absent	May be high pitched, may be absent
Obstipation	May be present	May be present
Pain	Mild and diffuse	Moderate to severe, colicky
Peritoneal signs	Absent	May be present
Radiography	Dilated loops of bowel, paucity of colonic gas	Dilated loops of bowel, differential air-fluid levels, paucity or absence of colonic gas
Fever, tachycardia	Absent	Should raise suspicion
Vomiting	May be present	May be present, may be bilious or feculent

SBO: small bowel obstruction.

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