What are the common causes of dilated small bowel as mentioned in the chapter?

The common causes of dilated small bowel include mechanical obstruction and paralytic ileus. Specific causes of mechanical obstruction are adhesions, strangulated hernia, mass, gallstones, strictures from Crohn’s disease, appendiceal abscess, volvulus, and intussusception.

Dilated small bowel is primarily caused by mechanical obstruction and paralytic ileus. Mechanical obstructions can arise from various conditions such as adhesions, strangulated hernias, masses, gallstones, strictures related to Crohn's disease, appendiceal abscesses, volvulus, and intussusception. When the small bowel is dilated beyond 3 cm and shows air and fluid levels, it indicates a potential obstruction that requires further investigation, often through a CT scan.