Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction in a Patient With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. However, the disease is also known to cause a range of extrapulmonary manifestations, including gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-03, Vol.15 (3), p.e36251
Main Authors: Mahdi, Ahmad, Bharwad, Aastha, Mahdi, Mahmoud, Rowe, Kyle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Case reports
Colon
COVID-19
Electrolytes
Endoscopy
Gastroenterology
Infectious Disease
Intestinal obstruction
Intubation
Ischemia
Medical imaging
Motility
Nausea
Pandemics
Patients
Pneumonia
Potassium
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Therapeutics
Vomiting
X-rays
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. However, the disease is also known to cause a range of extrapulmonary manifestations, including gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The exact mechanisms by which the virus causes extrapulmonary manifestations are not fully understood, but it is theorized that the virus can enter cells in other organs including the GI tract, through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. This can result in inflammation and damage to the affected organs. In rare cases, COVID-19 can also cause acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), a condition characterized by symptoms of bowel obstruction but without a physical obstruction present. Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of COVID-19 that requires prompt recognition and treatment to prevent further complications such as bowel ischemia and perforation. We hereby present a case report of a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia developing ACPO and discuss the suggested pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and treatment options.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.36251