FastTrack Complete Report: Gastrointestinal Mechanical Obstructions 

Table of Contents

1. Purpose & Use - Case type

2. X-RAY Signals to Be Assessed

A. Gastrointestinal Tract

B. Abdominal Organs

C.Additional Findings including the thorax, abdomen and musculoskeletal regions

1. Purpose & Use Cases

This FastTrack Complete Report is designed to assist in the identification of potential gastrointestinal (GI) obstructions that may require surgical or medical intervention. It focuses on detecting radiographic indicators of a mechanical obstruction within both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, including evaluation of small bowel diameter, gas patterns, and gastrointestinal tract content distribution.

In addition to assessing GI obstruction, the report also screens for other clinically significant radiographic findings such as intra-abdominal or thoracic masses, free peritoneal gas, calculi within the urinary tract, and other abnormalities such as hernias. Although these findings may not directly relate to the primary complaint, they can have a substantial impact on case management, treatment planning, and clinical outcomes.

Scenarios when to use this FastTrack Complete Report:

• Suspected Gastrointestinal Obstruction:
  • For patients presenting with clinical signs such as vomiting, regurgitation, abdominal distension, or discomfort, raising concern for a possible mechanical obstruction (e.g., foreign body, intussusception, volvulus).
• Known or Suspected Foreign Body:
  • When there is a history of foreign body ingestion, and its presence is identified or strongly suspected, the report supports evaluation of the object’s location, the extent of gastrointestinal distension or obstruction, and the potential need for surgical or medical intervention.
• Abnormal Radiographic Findings:
  • In cases where imaging reveals segmental or diffuse intestinal dilation, abnormal gas or fluid patterns, or evidence of a linear foreign body, the report provides a comprehensive evaluation to help distinguish between functional causes (ileus) and mechanical causes of the observed radiographic changes.

Clinical Signs Checklist (when submitting):

This clinical signs checklist is designed to summarize key clinical signs relevant to the presenting complaint. It serves as a quick reference tool for both observed and reported signs, ensuring that radiographic findings are interpreted accurately within the appropriate clinical context.

The checklist typically includes the following categories:

• Vomiting:
  • Acute - Sudden in onset; less than 14 days
  • Chronic - Persistent vomiting lasting more than 14 days
  • Intermittent - Occasional episodes occurring between symptom-free intervals
  • Hematemesis - Vomiting of fresh blood, clots or digested blood (coffee-ground)
• Foreign Body Ingestion:
  • Confirmed - The ingestion event was seen/witnessed
  • Suspected - The ingestion is not directly seen/witnessed, but clinical signs and radiographic changes raise suspicion
• Choking
• Regurgitation
  • Acute - Sudden in onset; less than 14 days
  • Chronic - Persistent regurgitation lasting more than 14 days
• Gagging/Retching - An involuntary reflex without expulsion of gastrointestinal contents.
• Diarrhea:
  • Acute - Sudden in onset; less than 14 days
  • Chronic - Persistent diarrhea lasting more than 14 days
  • Hematochezia - fresh blood, or clots in the feces
  • Melena - Passage of dark, tarry feces containing digested blood.

2. X-RAY Signals to Be Assessed

The FastTrack Complete Report is designed to identify key radiographic findings that are directly relevant to the patient’s presenting clinical signs. It supports timely, informed clinical decision-making by emphasizing abnormalities that may influence patient management.

This focused approach ensures that critical findings are not overlooked and that radiographic interpretation remains closely aligned with the clinical context. The report systematically evaluates core radiographic indicators to identify abnormalities that may require immediate clinical attention, further diagnostic evaluation, or medical vs surgical intervention.

A. Gastrointestinal Tract

1. Esophageal Distension
2. Esophageal Foreign Body
3. Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)
4. Gastric Distension
5. Gastric Foreign Body
6. Gastric Material
7. Diffuse Distension of Small Intestine
8. Small Intestinal Foreign Material
9. Small Intestinal Plication
10. Two Populations of Small Intestine
11. Mild Small Intestinal Distention

B. Extra-Gastrointestinal Tract

12. Hepatomegaly
13. Splenomegaly
14. Visible spleen
15. Abdominal Mass Effect
16. Mid Abdominal Mass
17. Limited Abdominal Detail
18. Peritoneal Gas

C. Additional Findings (Critical Radiographic Findings) based on submitted views.

Thorax

18. Thoracic Mass
19. Cranioventral Parenchymal Pattern
20. Caudodorsal Parenchymal Pattern
21. Left Atrial Enlargement
22. General Cardiomegaly
23. Diaphragmatic Hernia

Abdomen

22. Urinary Bladder Stone
23. Urethral Calculi
24. Uterine Distension
25. Abdominal Hernia

Musculoskeletal

26. Rib Fracture
27. Vertebral Fracture
28. Appendicular Fracture
29. Skull Fracture
30. Pelvic Fracture
31. Bone Lesions