A Rare Case of Acute on Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Secondary to Primary Visceral Myopathy

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare disabling disorder characterized by a severe impairment of gastrointestinal motility, mimicking mechanical obstruction in the absence of any occluding lesion of the gut lumen. The clinical presentation of CIPO includes variable degrees of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and abdominal distension. Visceral myopathy is a rare chronic disease of the bowel presenting with intermittent pseudo-obstruction. We present a rare case of intestinal pseudo-obstruction secondary to visceral myopathy in a 62-year-old female who presented with acute intestinal obstruction and was managed surgically. This report emphasizes that visceral myopathy although rare should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases presenting with acute on chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

Automated summary

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare disorder that causes severe impairment of gastrointestinal motility, resembling mechanical obstruction without any physical blockage in the gut. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension. Visceral myopathy is a rare chronic bowel disease characterized by intermittent pseudo-obstruction. This report emphasizes the importance of considering visceral myopathy as a potential cause of acute-on-chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.