Sentinel loop

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A sentinel loop is a sign seen on an X-ray that indicates localized ileus from nearby inflammation. Simply put, it is the dilatation of a segment of large or small intestine.

An isolated distended loop of bowel is seen near the site of injured viscus or inflamed organ. This loop is called a "sentinel loop." It arises from the body's efforts to localize traumatic or inflammatory lesions. The local distention of that intestinal loop is due to local paralysis and accumulation of gas in the intestinal loop.

In acute pancreatitis, the sentinel loop is usually seen in left hypochondrium, while in acute cholecystitis, it is seen in the right hypochondrium. In acute appendicitis, the sentinel loop is seen in right iliac fossa.

http://www.hawaii.edu/medicine/pediatrics/pemxray/v3c18m.jpg

v t e Radiologic signs

Cardiovascular	Aortic unfolding Dense artery sign Halo sign

Respiratory	Air crescent sign Deep sulcus sign Golden S sign Hampton hump Kerley lines Peribronchial cuffing Sail sign of the chest Silhouette sign Steeple sign Thumbprint sign Traction bronchiectasis Tree-in-bud sign Westermark sign

Urogenital	Canga's bead symptom

Musculoskeletal	Crescent sign Fabella sign Fat pad sign Osteopathia striata Sail sign of the elbow

Gastrointestinal	Endoexoenteric Football sign Hampton's line Mumoli's sign Omental cake Pneumatosis intestinalis Rigler's sign Sentinel loop

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