Useful rules of thumb

• Gaseous distension of small bowel + no gas in the colon = complete small bowel obstruction
• Significant gaseous distension of small bowel + minimal quantity of colonic gas = partial small bowel obstruction
• Significant gaseous distension of both the small bowel and the colon = paralytic ileus
• Significant gaseous distension of the colon + minimal distention of the small bowel = colonic obstruction or pseudo-obstruction