What would be the best approach to take with a patient with suspected bowel obstruction?

1. Obtain conventional radiography first. The obstruction may be constipation. Furthermore, barium studies can severely decrease the quality of a CT scan.
2. If small bowel obstruction is suspected and there is no known cause, a CT scan can be very helpful.
3. If large bowel obstruction is suspected, a barium enema should be performed. This study will be cleared in 1 day, permitting another study of the small intestine (e.g., enteroclysis) if necessary. If the small bowel study is done first, the barium may not be readily cleared.