Table 2. Radiographic diagnostic signs for small bowel obstruction and large bowel obstruction ¹¹ .

Small bowel obstruction Supine or prone:  1. Dilated small bowel > 2.5–3 cm  2. Paucity of colorectal gas  3. Stretch sign  4. Gasless abdomen  5. Dilated stomach Upright or decubitus:  1. Multiple air–fluid levels  2. Air–fluid level wider than 2.5 cm  3. Air–fluid levels in the same small bowel loop of unequal heights  4. String-of-beads sign

Large bowel obstruction  1. Dilated colon > 6 cm or cecum > 9 cm  2. Paucity of rectal gas  3. +/− small bowel dilation depending on duration and presence of closed loop