Acute large bowel pseudo-obstruction due to atrophic visceral myopathy: A case report.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Atrophic visceral myopathy is a pathological diagnosis characterized by atrophy of the smooth muscle layers of the viscera with intact ganglia. Rarely, it can present acutely as an intestinal pseudo-obstruction. We describe a rare case report and explore how this diagnosis can be distinguished from other forms of intestinal obstruction.

Case description

A 60-year-old male with a past medical history of hypothyroidism presented to the emergency department with a two-day history of worsening abdominal distention and pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Upon evaluation patient was found to have tachycardia, with abdominal distention and localized tenderness with peritonitis. Computed tomography demonstrated large bowel obstruction, likely caused by sigmoid volvulus

SUBMITTER: Wrenn SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5350498 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature