Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
Intestinal pseudoobstruction is the decreased ability of the intestines to push food through, and often causes dilation of various parts of the bowel. It can be a primary condition (idiopathic or inherited from a parent) or caused by another disease (secondary). The clinical and radiological findings are often similar to true intestinal obstruction.
There is some evidence of a genetic association.[1] One form has been associated with DXYS154.[2]
It can occur in conjunction with Kawasaki disease.[3]
People with pseudoobstruction have abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. In addition, their abdominal x-ray shows dilated loops of bowel. All of these features are also seen in true mechanical obstruction of the bowel.
Attempts must be made to find the underlying cause of intestinal pseudoobstruction. Secondary intestinal pseudoobstruction may be caused by scleroderma (esophageal motility is also impaired), myxedema, amyloidosis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, hypokalemia, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, drugs (anticholinergics, opiates)
Primary (idiopathic) intestinal pseudoobstruction diagnosed based on motility studies, x-rays, and gastric emptying studies. It may be caused by problems with the smooth muscle of the intestines (hollow visceral myopathy), or may be caused by problems with the nerves that supply the gut.
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