Question

Which are clinical or investigative features of intestinal obstruction?

• A. Abdominal distension
• B. Vomiting
• C. Fluid level in X-ray more than 4
• D. a and b

Hint:

Distension and vomiting are real signs; the X-ray fluid-level cut-off given here is unreliable.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: The cardinal clinical features of intestinal obstruction are colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension, and absolute constipation. From the options, abdominal distension and vomiting are both classic features, so options A and B are correct.

Step 2: Option C, more than 4 fluid levels on X-ray, is not a reliable threshold. A few air-fluid levels can be a normal finding in healthy people.

Step 3: Standard radiology teaching notes that 3 to 5 fluid levels under 2.5 cm in length, especially in the right lower quadrant, may be present without any obstruction or paralytic ileus. The more accepted suggestive sign is more than 5 air-fluid levels, not more than 4.

Step 4: Because both abdominal distension and vomiting are genuine features while the more than 4 fluid-level criterion is not dependable, the correct answer is option D, a and b.