Taking the Idiopathic Out of Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction

Editorials1 November 1981Taking the Idiopathic Out of Intestinal Pseudo-obstructionWILLIAM J. SNAPE JR., M.D.WILLIAM J. SNAPE JR., M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-95-5-646 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe term intestinal pseudo-obstruction describes a group of syndromes found in patients with symptoms that mimic those of organic intestinal obstruction, although no obstructing lesion can be found (1). Abnormalities in the intestinal smooth muscle or in the autonomic nervous system modulation of smooth muscular contraction, which can cause defective intestinal propulsion, apparently cause the symptom complex. But often its cause remains unknown, and as a result the symptom complex has been identified by various names (1). Recent technologic improvements, however, have allowed increased recognition of patients with this syndrome, and improved methods for the study of neuromuscular dysfunction will...References1. SCHUFFLERROHRMANNCHAFFEEBRANDDELANEYYOUNG MCRDJJ. Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. A report of 27 cases and review of the literature. Medicine. 1981;60:173-96. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. FAULKANURASFREEMAN DSJ. Idiopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction: use of central venous nutrition. JAMA. 1978;240:2075-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. SNAPECARLSONMATARAZZOCOHEN WGSS. Evidence that abnormal myoelectrical activity produces colonic motor dysfunction in the irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 1977;72:383-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. BATTLESNAPEALAVICOHENBRAUNSTEIN WWASS. Colonic dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. Gastroenterology. 1980;79:1217-21. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. BATTLESNAPEWRIGHT WWS. Abnormal colonic motility in progressive systemic sclerosis. 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LYON-CAEN, M.D., B. F. PERTUISET, M.D., P. BERNARD, M.D. 1 November 1981Volume 95, Issue 5Page: 646-647KeywordsAutonomic nervous systemLesionsMuscle contractionSmooth muscles Issue Published: 1 November 1981 PDF DownloadLoading ...