Phytobezoar-Induced Mechanical Ileus and Incipient Intussusception: A Case Report

Phytobezoars constitute conglomerates of indigested plant fibers and are a rare cause of acute mechanical ileus. They exhibit an increased prevalence in the elderly population and people with specific predisposing conditions. Radiological imaging can often set a definitive diagnosis and dictate the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2023-06, Vol.59 (7), p.1227
Main Authors: Kosmidis, Christoforos S, Mystakidou, Chrysi Maria, Varsamis, Nikolaos, Koulouris, Charilaos, Sevva, Christina, Papadopoulou, Konstantina, Michael, Christina, Katsios, Nikolaos Iason, Theodorou, Vasiliki, Miltiadous, Petrina, Papadopoulos, Konstantinos, Vlassopoulos, Konstantinos, Zarampouka, Katerina, Mantalovas, Stylianos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Auscultation
Case Report
Case reports
Diagnosis
Emergency medical care
Endoscopy
Gastrointestinal diseases
Health aspects
Homeopathy
Hospitals
ileus
Intestinal obstruction
Intestines
Intussusception
Materia medica and therapeutics
Motility
Older people
Physiology
phytobezoar
Small intestine
Surgery
Therapeutics
Ulcers
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Summary:Phytobezoars constitute conglomerates of indigested plant fibers and are a rare cause of acute mechanical ileus. They exhibit an increased prevalence in the elderly population and people with specific predisposing conditions. Radiological imaging can often set a definitive diagnosis and dictate the optimal therapeutic approach, combined with the patient's clinical status. An 81-year-old male presented with deteriorating clinical symptoms of intestinal obstruction, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed following inconclusive radiological findings; multiple phytobezoars and incipient intussusception were revealed intraoperatively. A patient's medical history can often raise clinical suspicion of phytobezoars. However, a careful etiological investigation is imperative in all cases of mechanical ileus in advanced ages; early detection and dissolution of phytobezoars, when applicable, can reduce the need for surgical interventions.
ISSN:1648-9144
1010-660X
1648-9144
DOI:10.3390/medicina59071227