Abdominal plain film findings in acute ischemic bowel disease differ with age.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use and findings of abdominal plain film in acute ischemic bowel disease (AIBD) in different age subsets, and to correlate the clinical findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-nine radiographically examined patients with AIBD at Malmö University Hospital, Sweden between 1987 and 1996. RESULTS: In 89%, the plain film displayed pathologic signs. Bowel dilatation was more common in the elderly. Of 68 patients aged > or = 71 years, 19 (28%) had colon gas/fluid levels with/without colon dilatation, and of 19 patients > 84 years 16 (84%) had small-bowel dilatation. Of 20 patients aged < 71 years, 1 (5%) had colon gas/fluid levels with/without colon dilatation, and 11 (55%) small-bowel dilatation (P < 0.05; P < 0.05). Gasless abdomen was more common in the younger age group, noted in 5 of 20 (25%) patients aged < 71 years, compared to 2 of 68 (3%) patients aged > or = 71 years (P = 0.001). Of the patients with diarrhea, 13 of 33 (40%) had colon gas/fluid levels with/without colon dilatation compared to 2 of 29 (7%) without (P = 0.003). In the elderly (> or = 71 years), 48 of 53 (91%) patients with bowel dilatation on plain film died, compared to 11 out of 16 (69%) without this finding (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Abdominal plain film findings differed with age. Bowel dilatation was more frequent in the elderly with AIBD, whereas gasless abdomen was more common in younger patients. The radiographic findings were associated with clinical symptoms and mortality.