Settembre 2002 - Volume XXI - numero 7
Aggiornamento monografico
Dipartimento di Pediatria, Divisione di Gastroenterologia Pediatrica, Children's Hospital di Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, USA)
Key words: Pseudo-obstruction, Gastrointestinal motor disorders, Enteric neuromuscular diseases
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare disabling disorder characterized by recurrent or continuous symptoms and signs of bowel obstruction in the absence of lumen-blocking lesions. The presenting symptoms depend on the regions of the gastrointestinal tract involved, with the small intestine involved almost invariably but with no pathognomonic sign or symptom. There is no single laboratory test that will diagnose pseudo-obstruction: the two most important elements are suspecting the diagnosis and excluding a mechanical obstruction. The most beneficial interventions in patients with pseudo-obstruction are the bowel decompression through the venting ostomies and an effective nutritional support. Therapeutic options also include prokinetic drugs with small bowel transplantation presently being the only definitive cure for patients with pseudo-obstruction.
Vuoi citare questo contributo?