Rapidly Progressive Small Bowel Necrosis in a Previously Healthy Child without Proven Mechanical Obstruction

Bowel ischemia is a life-threatening surgical emergency. We report a case of rapidly progressive bowel necrosis in a previously healthy child without proven mechanical small bowel obstruction. The definite diagnosis was established at the time of an exploratory operation. Of note, imaging studies an...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition 2019, Hepatology & Nutrition, 22(3), , pp.291-297
Main Authors: Kim, Hyun Hee, Kang, Hyungoo, Park, Chul Hee, Kwon, Yu Jin, Jung, Euna, Lim, Misun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
소아과학
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Bowel ischemia is a life-threatening surgical emergency. We report a case of rapidly progressive bowel necrosis in a previously healthy child without proven mechanical small bowel obstruction. The definite diagnosis was established at the time of an exploratory operation. Of note, imaging studies and even a laparotomy did not reveal any evidence of acute appendicitis or mechanical obstruction such as intussusception or Meckel's diverticulum. During hospitalization, since we could not rule out surgical abdomen after inconclusive image findings, we closely followed the patient and repeated physical examinations carefully. Eventually surgical exploration was performed based on changes in clinical condition, which proved to be the right decision for the patient. We propose that in children with suspected strangulation of small bowel obstruction, especially when imaging findings do not provide a conclusive diagnosis, the timely exploratory surgical approach ought to be chosen based on carefully observed clinical findings and other evaluations.
ISSN:2234-8646
2234-8840
DOI:10.5223/pghn.2019.22.3.291