Bowel obstruction is responsible for approximately 20% of surgical admissions of patients with acute abdomen [1]. The early diagnosis of bowel obstruction is critical in preventing complications, particularly perforation and ischemia. The accuracy of conventional radiography in determining the presence of obstruction is 46-80% [2]. CT has traditionally been used to reveal the site, level, and cause of obstruction and to display the signs of threatened bowel viability [3]. This pictorial essay presents CT imaging features of bowel obstruction with additional consideration given to the role that multidetector CT may play in refining it. The value of CT in the evaluation of bowel obstruction is based on its capability to provide information that aids in answering questions relevant to the clinical treatment of patients with an acute abdomen [3]: Can the obstruction be confirmed? Where is the transition point? What is the grade of severity of the obstruction? What is the cause of the obstruction?