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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04848415

Diagnostic Performance of Point of Care Ultrasound to Identify Intestinal Obstruction

As reported in previous studies, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has good performance for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction even when compared with CT. This inexpensive, radiation-free tool is available in a majority of ED. It is performed at the patient's bedside with immediate results. The learning curve allows Emergency Physicians (EP) to perform this exam after a relative brief training period.

The investigators aim to investigate the ability of POCUS performed before CT to exclude the diagnosis of bowel obstruction in patients admitted for abdominal pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Bowel Obstruction Digestive System Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Intestinal Diseases Intestinal Obstruction

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

CHU de Nantes

Nantes, 44093, France

About this study

Bowel obstruction (BO) is frequently suspected in the Emergency Department (ED). Computed Tomography (CT) is commonly used to diagnose this disease. However, CT is not always available in real-time, requires technician times, is associated with increased cost and exposes patients to radiations.

The researchers will investigate the diagnosis performances of POCUS for the diagnosis of BO with comparison with CT which will be considered as the gold standard. The wain objective will be the ability to exclude the diagnosis of BO, the main criteria being the negative predictive value. The secondary objectives will be the diagnosis performances (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value), duration and difficulty of POCUS

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult patients
  • Abdominal pain
  • Suspected bowel obstruction

Exclusion criteria

  • Documented end-of-life precluding CT realization

Treatment and study plan

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Other

Patients admitted to the ED with abdominal pain and suspicion of bowel obstruction : realization of a Point-of-Care Ultrasound after clinical exam by the Emergency Physician in charge as a standard of care. Beside usual findings, the investigators will search for signs of bowel obstruction: dilated and incompressible small bowel loop, back-and-forth peristalsis sign. Determination of probability of small bowel obstruction. Realization of a computed tomography in search of small bowel obstruction.

Primary outcomes

  1. Negative predictive value of POCUS

    Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours

    Negative predictive value of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction compared with computed tomography result

Secondary outcomes

  1. Positive predictive value of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction

    Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours

    Positive predictive value

  2. Sensitivity of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction

    Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours

    sensitivity of POCUS, for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction compared with computed tomography result

  3. Specificity of POCUS for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction

    Time frame: Through ED stay, up to 24 hours

    specificity of POCUS, for the diagnosis of bowel obstruction compared with computed tomography result

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nantes University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Acronym: OCCLUS

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Apr 19, 2021
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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