Twenty-seven patients with ileus were assessed using ultrasound and the related variables suggestive of ileus are presented. If special attention is directed to these variables when a patient complains of nausea, vomiting, colicky abdominal pain and so forth, this entity can be diagnosed early and accurately. Since the distended, air-filled loops of bowel are not so readily recognized, the combined use of X-ray and ultrasound will aid in a follow-up study during treatment as well as in the diagnosis.