An observational study in Bowel Obstruction, sponsored by Nantes University Hospital. Completed at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-25.
Sponsored by Nantes University Hospital · Observational
As reported in previous studies, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has good performance for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction even when compared with CT. This inexpensive, radiation-free tool is available in a majority of ED. It is performed at the patient's bedside with immediate results. The learning curve allows Emergency Physicians (EP) to perform this exam after a relative brief training period.
The investigators aim to investigate the ability of POCUS performed before CT to exclude the diagnosis of bowel obstruction in patients admitted for abdominal pain.
Bowel obstruction (BO) is frequently suspected in the Emergency Department (ED). Computed Tomography (CT) is commonly used to diagnose this disease. However, CT is not always available in real-time, requires technician times, is associated with increased cost and exposes patients to radiations.
The researchers will investigate the diagnosis performances of POCUS for the diagnosis of BO with comparison with CT which will be considered as the gold standard. The wain objective will be the ability to exclude the diagnosis of BO, the main criteria being the negative predictive value. The secondary objectives will be the diagnosis performances (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value), duration and difficulty of POCUS
104 studies on the registry are indexed under Intestinal Obstruction; 15 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 150 is above the median of 107 across 40 observational studies indexed under Intestinal Obstruction.
Browse Intestinal Obstruction studies →Nantes University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 839 studies on the registry; 195 are open to participants now.
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Adult patients admitted to the ED for abdominal pain and suspicion of bowel obstruction
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Exclusion Criteria :
- Documented end-of-life precluding CT realization
Patients admitted to the ED with abdominal pain and suspicion of bowel obstruction : realization of a Point-of-Care Ultrasound after clinical exam by the Emergency Physician in charge as a standard of care. Beside usual findings, the investigators will search for signs of bowel obstruction: dilated and incompressible small bowel loop, back-and-forth peristalsis sign. Determination of probability of small bowel obstruction. Realization of a computed tomography in search of small bowel obstruction.
Negative predictive value of POCUS
Negative predictive value of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction compared with computed tomography result
Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours
Positive predictive value of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction
Positive predictive value
Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours
Sensitivity of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction
sensitivity of POCUS, for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction compared with computed tomography result
Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours
Specificity of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction
specificity of POCUS, for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction compared with computed tomography result
Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours
Plan to share: No
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Ran from May 2021 to primary completion in May 2022, 12 months.
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This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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