clinical features of large bowel obstruction

Last reviewed 01/2018

Adults present quite late with vomiting, weight loss and appetite loss. They may complain of colicky abdominal pain.

Signs include:

  • succussion splash

  • dehydration

  • mass due to the tumour, either in the epigastrium or in the lymph nodes

  • hepatomegaly:
    • caused by metastases in the liver
    • presents late as an uncomfortable or painful mass

  • vomiting:
    • occurs relatively late
    • the vomitus is faeculent