Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Drug-induced colonic pseudo-obstruction

Report of a case

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

Colonic pseudo-obstruction may have many possible causes. Some of these are well described and pose no diagnostic problems. Drug-related colonic pseudo-obstruction remains underreported, but is of importance in modern society where drugs are endemically abused. This case highlights the importance of drugs in altering colonic motility and emphasizes the nonsurgical management of this condition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Geelhoed GW. Colonic pseudo-obstruction in surgical patients. Am J Surg 1985;149:258–65.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Ogilvie WH. Large intestine colic due to sympathetic deprivation: a new clinical syndrome. Br Med J 1984;2:671–3.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dudley HA, Sinclair IS, McLaren IF, McNair TJ, Newsam JE. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction. J R Coll Surg Edinb 1985;3:206–17.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Poirer TS, Rankin GB. Gastrointestinal manifestations of progressive systemic scleroderma based on a review of 364 cases. Am Gastroenterol 1972;58:30–44.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Barry RE, Benfield JR, Nicell P, Bray GA. Colonic pseudo-obstruction: a new complication of jejunoileal bypass. Gut 1975;16:903–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Swenson WM, Witkowski LJ, Roskelly RC. Total colectomy for dermatomyositis. Am J Surg 1968;115:405–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gilat T, Spiro HM. Amyloidosis and the gut. Am J Dig Dis 1968;13:619–33.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Goldberg HI, Sheft DJ. Esophageal and colon changes in myotonia dystrophica. Gastroenterology 1972;63;134–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bastenie PA. Paralytic ileus in severe hypothyroidism. Lancet 1946;1:413–6.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Katz LA, Spiro HM. Gastrointestinal manifestations of diabetes. N Engl J Med 1966;275:1350–1.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Duffy TJ, Erickson EE, Jordan GL Jr, Bennett HD. Megacolon and bilateral pheochromocytoma. Am J Gastroenteraol 1962;38:555–63.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lewitan A, Nathanson L, Slade WR Jr. Megacolon and dilatation of the small bowel in Parkinsonism. Gastroenterology 1951;17:367–74.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Corkery JJ. Hirschsprung's disease. Clin Gastroenterol 1975;4:531–44.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ferreira-Santos R. Megacolon and megarectum in Chagas' disease. Proc R Soc Med 1961;54:1047–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Strodel WE, Dent TL, Nostrant TT, Eckhauser FE, Campbell DA, Marks WH. Treatment alternatives in renal failure and renal transplantation patients with nonobstructive colonic dilatation. Transplantation 1983;36:37–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hubbard CN, Richardson EG. Pseudo-obstruction of the colon: a postoperative complication in orthopaedic patients. J Bone Joint Surg 1983;65A:226–9.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Spira IA, Rodrigues R, Wolff W. Pseudo-obstruction of the colon. Am J Gastroenterol 1976;65:397–408.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bachdis BL, Smith PE. Pseudo-obstruction of the colon. Am J Surg 1978;136:66–72.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Moore CE, Koman GM. Impending cecal perforation secondary to a crushing injury of the pelvis. Arch Surg 1959;79:1044–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Bullock PR, Thomas WE. Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1984;66:327–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Geelhoed G, Joseph WL. Surgical sequelae of drug abuse. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1974;139:749–55.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Davis JT, Nusbaum M. Chlorpromazine therapy and functional large bowel obstruction. Am J Gastroenterol 1973;60:635–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Spiro RK, Kysilewskyji RM. Iatrogenic ileus secondary to medication. J Med Soc NJ 1973;70:565–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Warnes H, Lehmann HE, Ban TA. Adynamic ileus during psychoactive medication — a report of three fatal and five severe cases. Can Med Assoc J 1967;96:1112–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Milner G, Buckler EG. Adynamic ileus and amitriptyline: three case reports. Med J Aust 1964;1:921–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Milner E, Hills NF. Adynamic ileus and nortriptyline. Br Med J 1966;1:841–2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Bauer GE, Hellestrand KJ. Pseudo-obstruction due to clonidine (correspondence). Br Med J 1976;1:769.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Smith B. Pathology of cathartic colon. Proc R Soc Med 1972;65:288.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Caves PK, Crockard HA. Pseudo-obstruction of the large bowel. Br Med J 1970;2:583–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Wanebo H, Mathewson C, Connolly B. Pseudo-obstruction of the colon. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1971;133:44–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Beardsley D. Pseudo-obstruction of the large bowel. Br J Surg 1979;61:963–9.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Prosser CL, Bartoff A. Electrical activity of intestinal muscle underin vitro conditions. In: Code CF, ed. Handbook of physiology, Sect 6: Alimentary canal, vol IV. Washington DC: American Physiological Society 1968:2025–50.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Ganong WF. Review of medical physiology. 14th ed. London: Prentice-Hall International Inc., 1989, chapt 26:408–35.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Heinz ER, Steinberg AJ, Sackner MA. Roentgenographic and pathological aspects of intestinal scleroderma. Ann Intern Med 1963;59:822–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Abbasi AA, Douglass RC, Bissell GW, Chen Y. Myxedema ileus: a form of intestinal pseudo-obstruction. JAMA 1975;234:181–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Drenick EJ, Ament ME, Finegold SM, Passaro E Jr. Bypass enteropathy: an inflammatory process in the excluded segment with systemic complications. Am J Clin Nutr 1977;30:76–89.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Milner G. Gastrointestinal side-effects and psychotropic drugs. Med J Aust 1969;2:153–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Cummings JH. Laxative abuse. Gut 1974;15:758–66.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Goodman LS, Gilman AG. The pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: McMillan, 1985:166–9.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ellinwood EH Jr, Kilbey MM. Fundamental mechanisms underlying altered behavior following chronic administration of psychomotor stimulants. Biol Psychiatry 1980;15:749–57.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kalant H, Kalant OJ. Death in amphetamine users: causes and rates. Can Med Assoc J 1975;112:299–304.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Goligher J. Surgery of the anus, rectum, and colon. London: Ballière and Tindall, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Karuth NM, Karuth A, Matheson NA. The place of contrast enema in the management of large bowel obstruction. J R Col Surg Edinb 1985;30:258–60.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Nivatvongs SS, Vermeulen JD, Fancy DT. Colonoscopic decompression of acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon. Ann Surg 1986;31:1287–91.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Nanni G, Garbini A, Luchetti P, Nanni G, Ronconi P, Castagneto M. Ogilvie's syndrome (acute colonic pseudo-obstruction): review of the literature (October 1948 to March 1980) and report of four additional cases. Dis Colon Rectum 1982;25:157–66.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Vanek VW, Al Salti M. Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon (Ogilvie's syndrome): an analysis of 400 cases. Dis Colon Rectum 1986;29:203–10.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Groff W. Colonoscopic decompression and intubation of the cecum for Ogilvie's syndrome. Dis Colon Rectum 1983;26:503–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. McCormack M. Caecal rupture in psychotic patients. Br Med J 1974;4:83–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Attiyeh FF, Knapper WK. Pseudo-obstruction of the colon (Ogilvie's syndrome). Dis Colon Rectum 1980;23:106–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Adams JT. Adynamic ileus of the colon. Arch Surg 1974;109:503–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Addison NV. Pseudo-obstruction of the large bowel. J R Soc Med 1983;76:252–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W12 ONN, London, UK

    S. K. Ohri F.R.C.S., F.R.C.S.Ed., T. Patel M.B., Ch.B., L. Desa F.R.C.S. & J. Spencer M.S., F.R.C.S.

Authors
  1. S. K. Ohri F.R.C.S., F.R.C.S.Ed.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Patel M.B., Ch.B.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Desa F.R.C.S.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Spencer M.S., F.R.C.S.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

About this article

Cite this article

Ohri, S.K., Patel, T., Desa, L. et al. Drug-induced colonic pseudo-obstruction. Dis Colon Rectum 34, 347–351 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02050597

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02050597

Key words

Search

Navigation