Radiographic changes after colonoscopic decompression for acute pseudo-obstruction

Secretory diarrhea and hypokalemia associated with colonic pseudo-obstruction: A case study and systematic analysis of the literature

BACKGROUND

Colonic pseudo-obstruction (CPO) is characterized by colonic distention in the absence of mechanical obstruction or toxic megacolon. Concomitant secretory diarrhea (SD) with hypokalemia (SD-CPO) due to gastrointestinal (GI) loss requires further characterization.

AIM

To perform a systematic review of SD-CPO, report a case study, and compare SD-CPO with classical CPO (C-CPO).

METHODS

We performed a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus for reports based on a priori criteria for CPO, SD and GI loss of potassium. An additional case at Mayo Clinic was included.

RESULTS

Nine publications met inclusion criteria, with a total of 14 cases. Six studies had high, three moderate, and our case high methodological quality. Median age was 74 years (66-97), with 2:1 male/female ratio. Kidney disease was present in 6/14 patients. Diarrhea was described as profuse, watery, or viscous in 10 patients. Median serum, stool, and urine potassium concentrations (mmol/L) were 2.4 (range: 1.9-3.1), 137 (100-180), and 17 (8-40), respectively. Maximal diameter of colon and cecum (median) were 10.2 cm and 10.5 cm, respectively. Conservative therapy alone was effective in five out of 14 patients. Median potassium supplementation was 124 mEq/d (40-300). Colonic decompression was effective in three out of six patients; one had a total colectomy; three out of 14 had died. The main differences between SD-CPO and C-CPO were lower responses to treatments: conservative measures (35.7% vs 73.6%, P=.01), neostigmine (17% vs 89.2%, P<.001), and colonic decompression (50% vs 82.4%, P=.02).

CONCLUSION

SD-CPO is a rare phenotype associated with increased fecal potassium and is more difficult to treat than C-CPO.

Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction (Ogilvie's Syndrome)

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is a complication that occurs in hospitalized patients with serious underlying medical or surgical conditions; it is characterized by acute colonic dilatation in the absence of mechanical obstruction. The pathogenesis is incompletely elucidated, but changes in autonomic nervous system function are likely to contribute, as are metabolic and pharmacologic factors. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention are critical in this disorder, which carries with it considerable morbidity and mortality. Treatment options, consecutively applied, include conservative measures, pharmacologic treatment with neostigmine, and endoscopic decompression. Surgical decompression or resection is necessary in case of refractoriness or perforation, respectively.

Adynamic ileus and acute colonic pseudo-obstruction

Ileus and colonic pseudo-obstruction cause functional obstruction of intestinal transit, without mechanical obstruction, because of uncoordinated or attenuated intestinal muscle contractions. Ileus usually arises from an exaggerated intestinal reaction to abdominal surgery that is often exacerbated by numerous other conditions. Colonic pseudo-obstruction is induced by numerous metabolic disorders, drugs that inhibit intestinal motility, severe illnesses, and extensive surgery. It presents with massive colonic dilatation with variable, moderate small bowel dilatation. Both conditions are initially treated with supportive measures that include intravenous rehydration, correction of electrolyte abnormalities, discontinuation of antikinetic drugs, and treatment of other contributing disorders. Specific therapies for colonic pseudo-obstruction include neostigmine (an anticholinesterase) for pharmacologic colonic decompression and colonoscopic decompression.

Akute intestinale Kolonpseudoobstruktion 2 Tage nach Versorgung einer pertrochantären Femurfraktur

Acute colonic pseudoobstruction, following traumatic injuries, is a rare diagnosis. Nevertheless it is life threatening, if it is not recognized and treated promptly. We report one case of this so-called Ogilvie's syndrome, which followed fixation of a trochanteric fracture by intramedullary nailing within 2 days. Due to massive acute colonic distension, the patient suffered from respiratory failure. We excluded other intestinal diseases by CT scanning. After conservative colonic decompression, he recovered after 2 days in the intensive care unit. We describe a variable treatment depending on the severity of the colonic atony. Knowledge of Ogilvie's syndrome, or acute colonic pseudoobstruction, is a must for trauma surgeons, since it can occur within a few hours and can lead to dramatic situations.

Pseudo-obstruction in the critically ill

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by impairment of intestinal propulsion, which may resemble intestinal obstruction, in the absence of a mechanical cause. It may involve the small and/or the large bowel, and may present in acute, subacute or chronic forms. We have performed a systematic review of acute pseudo-obstruction, also referred to as Ogilvie's syndrome in the literature, and focused on proposed mechanisms, manifestations and management of post-surgery and critically ill patients who suffer from one or more underlying clinical conditions. The hallmark of the syndrome is massive intestinal distension, which is detected on clinical inspection and plain abdominal radiography. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, treatment focuses on preventing intestinal perforation, which is associated with an average 21% mortality rate.

Pseudo-obstruction in the critically ill

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by impairment of intestinal propulsion, which may resemble intestinal obstruction, in the absence of a mechanical cause. It may involve the small and/or the large bowel, and may present in acute, subacute or chronic forms. We have performed a systematic review of acute pseudo-obstruction, also referred to as Ogilvie's syndrome in the literature, and focused on proposed mechanisms, manifestations and management of post-surgery and critically ill patients who suffer from one or more underlying clinical conditions. The hallmark of the syndrome is massive intestinal distension, which is detected on clinical inspection and plain abdominal radiography. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, treatment focuses on preventing intestinal perforation, which is associated with an average 21% mortality rate.

Manejo clínico de la seudoobstrucción aguda de colon en el enfermo hospitalizado: revisión sistemática de la bibliografía

Intestinal pseudoobstruction is a clinical syndrome characterized by impairment of intestinal propulsion, which may resemble intestinal obstruction, in the absence of a mechanical cause. It usually affects the colon but the small intestine may also be involved, and may present in acute, subacute or chronic forms. We have performed a systematic review of the acute form of pseudoobstruction, also referred to as Ogilvie's syndrome. We discuss proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, manifestations and management of this clinical condition in post-surgery and critically ill patients. The hallmark of the syndrome is massive intestinal distension, which is detected on clinical inspection and plain abdominal radiography. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, treatment has focussed on preventing intestinal perforation, which is associated with a 21% mortality rate.

[Surgical treatment of anal incontinence]

Surgery is mandatory for fecal incontinence when medical treatments and reeducation by biofeedback are ineffective. Sphincter disruption is the most frequent cause. Sphincter repair with or without overlapping is indicated in the large majority of cases. Short-term results are good but result is not ever maintained with time. In case of failure, or when the defect concerns more than 180 degrees, it is necessary to use a substitutive technique. Artificial anal sphincter is often first proposed because of its apparent technical simplicity and because it is cheaper than dynamic graciloplasty. Results are excellent. Failures are due to local infection or device disfunction. Dynamic graciloplastie may be proposed in patients with severe perineal lesions, or failure of the other methods. Its results are also excellent, except for the patients having disordered rectal perception. Sacral nerve stimulation is limited to patients with idiopathic or neurologic incontinence. Because definitive implantation is done only following positive preoperative stimulation test, short-term results are very good.