Clinical characteristics and causes of large bowel obstruction
- Most patients are older than 50 years of age.
- Lower abdominal cramping pain is gradual in onset.
- Abdominal distention is a prominent feature.
- Dilated loops of bowel with haustra distinguish the colon from the small bowel on abdominal x-rays or CT scans.
- Causes include obstructing neoplasm, diverticulitis, hematoma (trauma or bleeding disorder), and cecal or sigmoid volvulus.
