title: Anal canal stenosis and pseudo-obstruction.
abstract: Mechanical large bowel obstruction and pseudo-obstruction can be difficult to differentiate because clinical symptoms and signs are often misleading. Although plain abdominal radiographs showing diffuse gaseous distension, no shut-off point and gas in the rectum are very suggestive of pseudo-obstruction, incomplete clinical examination with over-reliance on the abdominal radiographs may lead to large bowel mechanical obstruction being misdiagnosed as pseudo-obstruction. We report a rare case of large bowel obstruction occurring secondary to anal canal stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sagar
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wedgwood
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007420:Intestine, Large; D008297:Male