Chronic intermittent intestinal obstruction from a seat belt injury.
Most patients with intestinal obstruction have had previous surgery. Rarely, the development of adhesions and resulting small bowel obstruction is attributed to previous intra-abdominal trauma. We present the case of a young man, without a history of surgery, who had been a restrained driver in a motor vehicle crash. Seven years later, the patient had an intermittent partial small bowel obstruction that recurred over the next 5 years. We review the pathophysiology and epidemiology of similar occurrences, as well as diagnostic options.
Harrison
J R
JR
Division of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago Hospitals, Ill 60637, USA.
Blackstone
M O
MO
Vargish
T
T
Gasparaitis
A
A
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions
D003287:Contrast Media