​Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Distention

​Differential Diagnosis of Abdominal Distention 
Mechanical Obstruction 
•pneumatosis intestinalis, annular pancreas, Hirschsprung’s
disease, intussusception, meconium
• Volvulus
• Stenosis at surgical anastomosis, radiation stenosis
• Pregnancy
• Other: parasites, superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome,
• Neoplasm (intraluminal, extraluminal)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Infection (intra-abdominal abscess, diverticulitis)
• Hernias
• Hematoma
• Gastric outlet obstruction
• Gallstones
• Foreign body, bezoars
• Fecaliths
• Adhesions, endometriosis

Non Mechanical Obstruction 
• Vascular insufficiency (thrombosis, embolism) 
• Trauma 
• Severe pain
• Retroperitoneal irritation (renal colic, neoplasms, infections, hemorrhage) 
• Peritoneal inflammation
• Pain medications
• Metabolic/toxic abnormalities (hypokalemia, uremia, lead poisoning) 
• Mechanical ventilation 
• Intra-abdominal infection 
• Extra-abdominal infection (sepsis, pneumonia, empyema, osteomyelitis of spine) 
 • Excessive intraluminal gas 
• Chemical irritation (perforated ulcer, bile, pancreatitis)